Canadian Citizenship Practice Test 2024

As of 2008, NAFTA covered over ______ people and over $_______ in merchandise trade.

1. 300 million people and $500 billion

2. 444 million people and $1 trillion

3. 500 million people and $1.5 trillion

4. 250 million people and $800 billion

The correct answer is: 444 million people and $1 trillion

NAFTA, or the North American Free Trade Agreement, is a trilateral trade agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico that went into effect in 1994. As of 2008, it was estimated that NAFTA covered approximately 444 million people and over $1 trillion in merchandise trade. Option A is incorrect because the population of the three countries combined was already over 300 million in 1994 when NAFTA began, making it highly unlikely that the population covered by the agreement would have remained the same for over a decade. Option C is incorrect because the combined population of the three countries in 2008 was still under 500 million, and $1.5 trillion is an overestimation of the total merchandise trade value. Option D is incorrect because the population of the three countries combined in 2008 was closer to 350 million, making it unlikely that over 250 million people would be directly impacted by NAFTA. Therefore, option B is the most accurate choice, as it falls within a reasonable range for both population and trade values covered by NAFTA in 2008.