Question

Difficulty: MediumAustralian National Flag

The Australian National Flag features several white stars on a blue background. Which of the following correctly describes the difference between the Commonwealth Star and the Southern Cross constellation?

  1. The Commonwealth Star is a single seven-pointed star located below the Union Jack, while the Southern Cross is a group of five stars on the right side of the flag.Answer
  2. B
    The Commonwealth Star is the group of five stars representing the Southern Hemisphere, while the Southern Cross is the single seven-pointed star representing the states and territories.
  3. C
    The Commonwealth Star is a single star with five points, while the Southern Cross is a group of seven stars representing the original Australian colonies.

Answer

The Commonwealth Star is a single seven-pointed star located below the Union Jack, while the Southern Cross is a group of five stars on the right side of the flag.
The Australian National Flag is composed of three main elements on a blue background. The Commonwealth Star is the single large star under the Union Jack with seven points (six for the states and one for the territories). The Southern Cross is the constellation on the right side of the flag consisting of five stars, representing Australia's location in the Southern Hemisphere.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Locate and identify the Commonwealth Star
It is the large, single white star positioned directly under the Union Jack on the left side (the hoist).
The Commonwealth Star has seven points, representing the six states and the territories of Australia.
2
Locate and identify the Southern Cross
It is the group of five stars located on the right-hand side (the fly) of the flag.
This constellation represents Australia's geographic location in the Southern Hemisphere.
3
Compare the characteristics of both symbols
The Commonwealth Star is one star with seven points, whereas the Southern Cross is a group of five distinct stars.
Distinguishing between these symbols is a key requirement for understanding the flag's design and symbolism.

Key Concept

Distinguishing the components and symbolism of the Australian National Flag

Hints

1
Recall which symbol is a constellation (a group of stars) and which is a single large star.
2
The large star under the Union Jack has a specific number of points that represent the states and territories.
3
The Commonwealth Star has seven points, while the Southern Cross is made up of five stars.

Practice More

Study the official meaning of the Union Jack on the flag to understand how the British history of settlement is represented alongside these stars.
Estimated Time:45s
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