Grade 10 Civics: Units 1, 2 & 3 Exam Review

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering key definitions, political concepts, governance structures, legal terms, and global issues across Units 1, 2, and 3 of the Grade 10 Ontario Civics curriculum.

Civics

The study of government, democracy, citizenship, rights, responsibilities, and political decision-making.

Citizenship

Being a recognized member of a political community or country, with certain rights and responsibilities.

Civic Engagement

Participating in activities that influence or improve a community or society.

Political Significance

A concept referring to how much an issue, event, or government decision affects people's lives and communities.

Stability and Change

A civics concept examining how and why governments, political institutions, and policies remain consistent or are modified over time.

Objectives and Results

A civics concept examining the goals or reasons behind a political decision and the outcomes (intended or unintended) that happen because of them.

Political Perspective

The way a person or group understands an issue based on their beliefs, values, experiences, interests, and opinions.

Democracy

A system of government originating from Greek words meaning "rule by the people," where citizens have a meaningful role in choosing leaders and influencing government decisions.

Direct Democracy

A form of democracy where citizens vote directly on laws or political decisions.

Representative Democracy

A system of democracy where citizens elect representatives who make political decisions on their behalf.

Rule of Law

The principle that everyone must follow the law—including ordinary citizens, police officers, politicians, and government leaders—and that nobody is above the law.

Human Rights

Basic rights and protections that belong to every person simply because they are human, protecting human dignity and preventing discrimination.

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

A part of Canada's Constitution that protects fundamental rights and freedoms and places limits on government actions.

Digital Citizenship

Behaving responsibly, safely, and respectfully when using the internet and digital technology.

Equality

Giving everyone the same rights, opportunities, or treatment, focusing on sameness.

Equity

Recognizing that people have different circumstances and providing the support they need to have a fair opportunity, focusing on fairness.

Closed Questions

Questions that have specific answers, often yes or no.

Open Questions

Questions that allow different answers, detailed explanations, and opinions.

Qualitative Data

Information that describes experiences, opinions, feelings, and characteristics.

Quantitative Data

Information represented by numbers that can be measured and analysed.

Bias

An unfair preference or prejudice for or against a particular person, group, idea, or issue.

Primary Sources

Original, first-hand evidence created during an event or close to the time it occurred.

Secondary Sources

Sources created after an event that explain, interpret, or analyse information from primary sources.

Credibility

How trustworthy, believable, and fact-based a source is.

Synthesis

Combining information from multiple sources with one's own understanding to develop a deeper and more informed conclusion.

Constitutional Monarchy

A system of government in which a monarch is the head of state, but their powers are limited by the Constitution and laws.

Constitution Act, 1867

Legislation, originally called the British North America Act, that established the Dominion of Canada, created the federal system, and divided powers between federal and provincial governments.

Constitution Act, 1982

Legislation that brought Canada's Constitution under full Canadian control, added the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, established amending procedures, and affirmed existing Aboriginal and treaty rights in Section 35.

The 7/50 Formula

A general constitutional amending formula requiring approval from the House of Commons, the Senate, and at least seven provinces representing at least $50\%$ of Canada's provincial population.

Statute of Westminster, 1931

A British law that gave Canada and other dominions greater independence by allowing Canada to make its own laws without British parliamentary control in most areas.

Self-Government

The ability of an Indigenous people or nation to exercise authority and make decisions in recognized areas of jurisdiction.

Indian Act

Federal legislation introduced in 1876 that historically governed many aspects of First Nations administration and status, widely criticized for its colonial effects.

Residential Schools

Institutions where Indigenous children were forcibly separated from their families and communities to assimilate them into European-Canadian culture, the last of which closed in 1996.

Reconciliation

The ongoing process of addressing the harms caused by colonialism and residential schools while building respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)

A body that investigated and documented the history and legacy of residential schools, gathering survivor testimonies and publishing 94 Calls to Action.

Propaganda

Information or messaging deliberately designed to influence people's beliefs, opinions, or behaviour, often using biased or misleading techniques.

Political Ideology

A set of beliefs about how society and government should be organized.

Deputation

A presentation or speech made to a government council or committee to express concerns, opinions, or requests.

By-law

A local law created and enforced by a municipal government.

Legislative Branch

The branch of government responsible for making laws, consisting federally of the House of Commons, the Senate, and the Crown.

Executive Branch

The branch of government responsible for running the government and carrying out laws, consisting federally of the Prime Minister, Cabinet, and government departments.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government responsible for interpreting and applying laws through courts and judges.

Constitutional Law

Laws and legal principles based on Canada's Constitution that establish how government operates, divide powers, and protect rights.

Statute Law

Written laws passed by a legislature, such as Canada's Parliament or Ontario's Legislative Assembly.

Common Law

Law that develops through decisions made by judges in previous court cases, which guide future similar cases.

Civil Law

A branch of law dealing with disputes between individuals, organizations, or governments, such as contract or property disputes.

Criminal Law

A branch of law dealing with offences considered harmful to society, prosecuted by the government.

Restorative Justice

A justice approach focusing on repairing harm, taking responsibility, and rebuilding relationships rather than focusing solely on punishment.

Lobbying

The activity of communicating directly with government decision-makers to influence laws, policies, or decisions.

Party Platform

A political party's formal plan outlining its main policies, promises, and goals if elected.

First-Past-the-Post (FPTP)

The voting system used in Canadian federal elections where the candidate receiving the most votes in an electoral district wins, even without an absolute majority.

Global Citizenship

Understanding that people are connected across national borders and that local actions have effects on global communities and environments.

Globalization

The increasing connection and interdependence between countries through trade, technology, communication, culture, and economic activity.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

The total monetary value of all goods and services produced within a country during a specific period, usually one year.

Sovereignty

A country's independent authority to govern itself, create laws, and control its internal and external affairs without foreign control.

Conventions

Formal international agreements establishing standards that create legally binding obligations for countries that ratify them.

Declarations

Formal international statements that express shared principles, values, or goals, which are generally not legally binding.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

A foundational document adopted by the United Nations in 1948 identifying fundamental human rights and freedoms that belong to all people globally.

Diplomacy

The process through which countries communicate, negotiate, and cooperate to solve international problems and maintain peaceful relationships.

United Nations Security Council

The UN body primarily responsible for international peace and security, made up of 15 members including 5 permanent members with veto power.

International Criminal Court (ICC)

An independent international court that investigates and prosecutes individuals accused of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression.

Genocide

Acts committed with the specific intention of destroying, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.

War Crimes

Serious violations of international humanitarian law committed during armed conflict, such as attacking civilians or mistreating prisoners of war.

Crimes Against Humanity

Serious acts, such as murder, torture, or enslavement, committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population.

Economic Sanctions

Commercial and financial penalties, such as trade restrictions or asset freezes, applied against a country, entity, or individual to influence their behaviour.

Apartheid

A legal system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination enforced in South Africa that officially ended in the early 1990s.

Fast Fashion

The rapid production of inexpensive, trendy clothing to meet changing trends, often associated with textile waste, pollution, and poor factory labour conditions.

Free Trade

The international exchange of goods and services between countries with minimal government-imposed tariffs, quotas, or restrictions.

Sweatshops

Workplaces characterized by extremely low wages, long working hours, hazardous working conditions, and a lack of worker protections.

Child Labour

Work that deprives children of their childhood and harms their health, safety, education, or physical and mental development.

Exploitation

The act of taking unfair advantage of a person, group, or situation for someone else's benefit or profit.