Practice test 3

Correct answer: the electorate

Members of the Bundestag are elected every four years by eligible voters in a general, direct, free, equal and secret ballot (Art. 38 of the Basic Law). All German citizens aged 18 and over are entitled to vote.

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Correct answer: 1=Great Britain, 2=Soviet Union, 3=USA, 4=France

On the standard map Great Britain ran the north (1), the Soviet Union the east (2), the USA the south (3) and France the south-west (4). The three western zones became the Federal Republic in 1949, while the Soviet zone became the GDR.

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Correct answer: Saxony-Anhalt

Saxony-Anhalt in central Germany was part of the GDR until 1990 and is today one of the five new federal states. Its capital is Magdeburg; the region is famous as the cradle of the Reformation around Wittenberg and Eisleben.

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Correct answer: press censorship

Press censorship contradicts Article 5 of the Basic Law, which explicitly forbids censorship, and is a hallmark of dictatorships. Free elections, freedom of opinion and the separation of powers, by contrast, are pillars of democracy.

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Correct answer: the parliament

Laws in Germany are passed by parliament, namely the Bundestag, often with the consent of the Bundesrat. At state level the Landtage pass state laws; the government can only introduce bills, not enact laws itself.

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Correct answer: 4 years

Under Article 39 of the Basic Law the Bundestag is elected for four years. The legislative term ends when a new Bundestag convenes; early dissolution is only possible via Article 68 (a lost vote of confidence).

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Correct answer: the people.

Popular sovereignty means that all state authority emanates from the people (Article 20(2) of the Basic Law). It is exercised through elections and votes and via the legislature, executive and judiciary.

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Correct answer: Federal Constitutional Court

The Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe is responsible for interpreting the Basic Law under Article 93. It reviews laws for constitutionality, decides on constitutional complaints by citizens and state organs, and can ban political parties.

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Correct answer: Picture 2

The European Union flag shows twelve gold stars arranged in a circle on a blue background. The number twelve symbolises perfection and unity, not the member states; it was adopted from the Council of Europe in 1985.

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Correct answer: Picture 4

The GDR's coat of arms showed a hammer and a pair of compasses inside a ring of grain on a red background, symbolising workers, intelligentsia and farmers. It was introduced in 1955 and abolished in 1990 on accession to the Federal Republic.

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Correct answer: decides with judges on guilt and punishment.

Lay judges (Schöffen) are honorary judges who decide on guilt and sentence in criminal trials together with the professional judges. Their vote carries the same weight as a professional judge's under Section 30 of the Courts Constitution Act.

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Correct answer: because it represents the different opinions of citizens

A multi-party system is a hallmark of every pluralist democracy: different opinions and interests can organise themselves into separate parties and compete for votes. In a one-party dictatorship this is not possible.

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Correct answer: for further education.

The Volkshochschule (VHS) is a municipal institution for general adult education. It offers affordable courses in languages, IT, careers, health and culture, as well as integration and literacy courses.

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Correct answer: Foundation of the European Economic Community (EEC)

The Treaties of Rome were signed on 25 March 1957 by six states, including the Federal Republic, founding the European Economic Community (EEC) and Euratom. They created the common market and are seen as the birth of today's EU.

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Correct answer: the GDR

The Berlin Wall was built in 1961 by the GDR to stop its citizens fleeing en masse via West Berlin to the Federal Republic. Until its opening on 9 November 1989 it divided East and West Berlin and became the iconic symbol of the Cold War.

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Correct answer: Czech Republic

The Czech Republic borders Germany to the southeast along roughly 810 kilometres, mainly Bavaria and Saxony. It has been an EU member since 2004 and is part of the Schengen Area.

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Correct answer: Social insurance

Long-term care insurance was introduced in 1995 as the fifth pillar of social security and is regulated in Book XI of the Social Code. It joins health, pension, unemployment and accident insurance as part of statutory social insurance.

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Correct answer: Republic

Germany is a republic: the head of state is elected rather than determined by hereditary succession. Article 20 of the Basic Law also defines the Federal Republic as a democratic and social federal state.

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Correct answer: Willy Brandt

Chancellor Willy Brandt (SPD, 1969–1974) pursued détente with the Eastern Bloc through his Neue Ostpolitik. The Eastern Treaties with Moscow and Warsaw (1970) and the Basic Treaty with the GDR (1972) earned him the 1971 Nobel Peace Prize.

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Correct answer: to the registry office

In Germany, only a civil ceremony at the registry office (Standesamt) makes a marriage legally valid (§1310 BGB). A religious ceremony may follow but does not replace the civil marriage.

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Correct answer: Compulsory school attendance

Every child in Germany must attend school from age 6; homeschooling is not permitted. The duration of compulsory schooling is 9 or 10 years depending on the federal state.

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Correct answer: a lay judge.

Lay judges (Schöffen) are honorary judges without legal training who sit alongside professional judges in criminal trials. They are appointed for five years and have the same voting power as professional judges on guilt and sentence.

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Correct answer: Berlin

Berlin was divided into four sectors after the Second World War – American, British, French and Soviet – even though the city lay inside the Soviet zone. From this arose the later split into West Berlin and East Berlin.

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Correct answer: Rules that all residents must adhere to.

House rules set out binding standards for everyone living in the building, such as quiet times, stairwell cleaning and rubbish disposal. When they form part of the tenancy agreement, they are binding on all tenants.

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Correct answer: GDR

The GDR flag carried, on top of black-red-gold, the state emblem of hammer (workers), compass (intelligentsia) and ear-of-wheat wreath (farmers). The emblem was added in 1959; the Federal Republic uses the plain black-red-gold tricolour without symbol.

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Correct answer: the government representatives of the federal states

The Bundesrat consists of members of the state governments, i.e. the Minister-Presidents and ministers of the federal states (Article 51). Through it the states take part in federal legislation.

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Correct answer: at the residents' registration office

Under §17 of the Federal Registration Act, residents must register their new address with the local Einwohnermeldeamt within two weeks of moving. A fine of up to 1,000 euros can be imposed for non-compliance.

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Correct answer: Employees

Trade unions represent employees in dealings with employers and the political system. They negotiate collective bargaining agreements and protect workers, for example through the right to strike, derived from freedom of association in Article 9(3) of the Basic Law.

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Correct answer: gets the most votes.

A German election is won by the party that receives the most votes, because seat shares in the Bundestag are calculated from the second vote (Zweitstimme). However, that party can only govern if it secures a majority of MPs, usually by forming a coalition.

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Correct answer: an evening grammar school

Even as an adult, the Abitur can be obtained at an Abendgymnasium. Applicants usually need completed vocational training or several years of work experience; classes take place in the evening alongside employment.

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