Final answer:
The development of the Commonwealth of Australia followed a sequence of exploration, colonization, and federation. The six British colonies on the continent united on January 1, 1901, to form a federated state under the British Crown, with a democratically elected government and Canberra as its capital.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the student's question regarding the development of the Commonwealth of Australia is b) Exploration, Colonization, Federation. The process began with the exploration of the Australian continent by European navigators, primarily the British. This was followed by the colonization of Australia, starting with the establishment of penal colonies and later the development of free settlements. The impact on the indigenous peoples was profound and often detrimental. Over time, six British colonies were established on the continent, each with their own system of government.
The third phase was the federation of these colonies into a single nation. On January 1, 1901, the colonies united to form the Commonwealth of Australia, a federated state under the British Crown, but with a significant degree of independence and self-governance. The new nation continued to evolve, eventually developing a unique cultural identity and establishing itself as an influential country in the global community. Although the British monarch remains the ceremonial head of state, Australia is a democratically elected government with its capital in Canberra.