What was the population of Acadians on Île-du-Prince-Édouard after 35 years?

• A. 5000
• B. 2000
• C. 10000
• D. 3500

Answer: (A)

The question tests how population sizes in a settled community change over time, factoring in natural increase (births minus deaths), migration, and disruptions such as displacement. For the Acadians on Île-du-Prince-Édouard, a 35-year period after resettlement would typically see families growing and continuing to establish farms, leading to a moderate but meaningful increase in numbers. Five thousand is a plausible middle-ground estimate that reflects steady growth from a small initial population without assuming an unusually rapid expansion or a much larger influx that island resources and historical conditions wouldn’t easily support. The smaller figures would understate the real growth from generations of families, while a much larger figure would be less consistent with the island’s settlement pace and historical constraints.