Question catalogue in force since 2024-07-01

Practice test 14 — Schleswig-Holstein

33 questions as in the real exam: 30 federal and 3 on Schleswig-Holstein. With an explanation for every option. Free, 2026.

Questions in the test
33
Split
30 + 3
Pass mark — naturalisation
17 / 33
Pass mark — "Leben in Deutschland"
15 / 33
Time
60 min
Two pass marks — read this
It is the same paper, but there are two pass marks. Naturalisation requires 17 of 33 correct. The "Leben in Deutschland" test at the end of an orientation course requires 15. So a score of 15 or 16 passes the orientation course and does not meet the naturalisation requirement. If you are sitting this for naturalisation, 17 is your number.
0 of 33 answered

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  1. Question 1 of 33Catalogue question 203

    What was East Germany's economic system called?

    1. A — A market economy is based on free competition — the opposite model to the East German economy.
    2. B — Correct: East Germany operated a centrally directed socialist planned economy, in which the state determined production and prices.
    3. C — "Supply and demand" describes market mechanisms, which precisely did not determine prices in East Germany's planned economy.
    4. D — Capitalism describes a market economic order with private ownership of the means of production — the opposite of East Germany's system.

    Source: www.bpb.de

  2. Question 2 of 33Catalogue question 135

    Who do trade unions represent in Germany?

    1. A — Large companies are organised in employers' associations, not trade unions.
    2. B — Small companies are likewise a matter for the employer side, not trade unions.
    3. C — Self-employed people have their own forms of representation (e.g. chambers), but are not the core constituency of trade unions.
    4. D — Correct: trade unions represent the interests of employees vis-à-vis employers, including in collective bargaining.

    Source: www.dgb.de

  3. Question 3 of 33Catalogue question 33

    Which statement is correct? In Germany …

    1. A — Correct: Germany has no state religion; the state and religious communities are organisationally separate (ideological neutrality, Art. 140 Basic Law together with Art. 137 Weimar Constitution), even though some cooperation exists (e.g. collecting church tax).
    2. B — The opposite is true: the state is not formed by religious communities but is ideologically neutral.
    3. C — The state is independent of religious communities and makes its decisions with democratic legitimacy.
    4. D — There is no unity of state and church; Germany is not a state with an established religion.

    Source: www.gesetze-im-internet.de

  4. Question 4 of 33Catalogue question 178

    From June 1948 to May 1949, the citizens of West Berlin were supplied by an airlift. What circumstance was responsible for this?

    1. A — Cost was not the reason for the airlift; it was a forced emergency solution, not an economic decision by France.
    2. B — There is no documented general fear of ambushes as the reason; the roads were simply blocked.
    3. C — Speed was not the trigger; without the blockade, the land route would have been the obvious, faster option.
    4. D — Correct: from June 1948, the Soviet Union blockaded all land and water routes to West Berlin to put political pressure on the city — the Western Allies responded with the Berlin Airlift.

    Source: www.bpb.de

  5. Question 5 of 33Catalogue question 211

    Which politician is associated with the "Ostverträge" (Eastern Treaties)?

    1. A — Helmut Kohl is above all associated with German reunification in 1990, not with the Eastern Treaties of the early 1970s.
    2. B — Correct: with his "Ostpolitik", Federal Chancellor Willy Brandt initiated the Eastern Treaties (including with the Soviet Union and Poland, 1970), which led to détente with the Eastern Bloc.
    3. C — Mikhail Gorbachev was the Soviet head of state and party who shaped the reform policies of glasnost and perestroika, not a German politician of the Eastern Treaties.
    4. D — Ludwig Erhard was known for the social market economy and the economic miracle, not for the Eastern Treaties.

    Source: www.bpb.de

  6. Question 6 of 33Catalogue question 74

    What is the parliament for the whole of Germany called?

    1. A — The Federal Convention only meets to elect the Federal President; it is not a standing parliament.
    2. B — The People's Chamber (Volkskammer) was East Germany's parliament and has not existed since reunification.
    3. C — Correct: the Bundestag is the standing, directly elected parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany.
    4. D — The Federal Court of Justice is the highest court of ordinary jurisdiction, not a parliament.

    Source: www.bundestag.de

  7. Question 7 of 33Catalogue question 111

    Which actions relating to the State of Israel are prohibited in Germany?

    1. A — Publicly criticising a government's policy, including Israel's, is covered by freedom of expression (Art. 5 Basic Law).
    2. B — Displaying a foreign flag on private property is generally permitted and not a criminal offence.
    3. C — Factual discussion of politics, including about Israel, is permitted and an expression of freedom of speech.
    4. D — Correct: publicly calling for the destruction of a state and its population fulfils the offence of incitement to hatred (§ 130 Criminal Code) and is punishable — this applies regardless of which state is concerned, and here explicitly to Israel as well.

    Source: www.gesetze-im-internet.de

  8. Question 8 of 33Catalogue question 200

    Which of today's German federal states was formerly part of East Germany?

    1. A — Hesse lay in the American zone and belonged to old West Germany, not East Germany.
    2. B — Schleswig-Holstein lay in the British zone and belonged to old West Germany, not East Germany.
    3. C — Correct: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania was one of the five "new states" that joined the Federal Republic in 1990.
    4. D — The Saarland joined the Federal Republic in 1957 — never part of East Germany.

    Source: www.bpb.de

  9. Question 9 of 33Catalogue question 259

    The Vocational Information Centre (BIZ) at the Federal Employment Agency in Germany helps with …

    1. A — Pension calculation is the task of the German Pension Insurance, not the BIZ.
    2. B — Correct: the Vocational Information Centre provides information and advice on choosing a career, searching for apprenticeships and training places, and career prospects.
    3. C — Tax returns are submitted to the tax office, not handled by the BIZ.
    4. D — Health insurance matters concern the health insurance funds, not the BIZ.

    Source: www.arbeitsagentur.de

  10. Question 10 of 33Catalogue question 32

    Which of these is not a branch of state power in Germany?

    1. A — Legislation is one of the three branches of state power under Art. 20(2) of the Basic Law.
    2. B — Government belongs to the executive branch, one of the three branches of state power.
    3. C — Correct: the press is often called the "fourth estate" but is not a branch of state power under Art. 20(2) of the Basic Law — it is precisely independent of the state.
    4. D — The judiciary is one of the three branches of state power under Art. 20(2) of the Basic Law.

    Source: www.gesetze-im-internet.de

  11. Question 11 of 33Catalogue question 295

    Which religion has shaped European and German culture?

    1. A — Hinduism is historically rooted mainly in South Asia and has not shaped European culture to a comparable extent.
    2. B — Correct: over almost two millennia, Christianity has decisively shaped the art, law, holidays, values and institutions of Europe and Germany.
    3. C — Buddhism is historically rooted mainly in Asia and has not shaped European culture to a comparable extent.
    4. D — Islam has made important contributions to world culture and today is part of Germany's religious diversity, but historically did not shape European culture to the same extent as Christianity.

    Source: www.bpb.de

  12. Question 12 of 33Catalogue question 271

    What is a custom in Germany at Christmas?

    1. A — Hiding colourful eggs is an Easter custom, not a Christmas custom.
    2. B — Correct: decorating a Christmas tree with baubles, lights and ornaments is a central German Christmas custom.
    3. C — Dressing up in masks and costumes is typical of carnival, not Christmas.
    4. D — Putting pumpkins in front of the door is a Halloween custom, not a German Christmas custom.

    Source: www.bpb.de

  13. Question 13 of 33Catalogue question 56

    Which office belongs to municipal administration in Germany?

    1. A — The parish office is a church institution, not a municipal administrative authority.
    2. B — Correct: the public order office (Ordnungsamt) is a classic authority of local self-government, responsible for example for local public safety and order.
    3. C — The tax office is a state (Land) authority (with federal oversight on tax matters), not a municipal authority.
    4. D — The Federal Foreign Office is a top-level federal authority for foreign policy, not a municipal institution.

    Source: www.bmi.bund.de

  14. Question 14 of 33Catalogue question 47

    The German state has many responsibilities. Which of these is not one of them?

    1. A — Correct: there is no state funding of private holiday trips for all citizens — that is not a state responsibility.
    2. B — Child benefit (Kindergeld) is a genuine state family benefit under the Income Tax Act / Federal Child Benefit Act.
    3. C — The state and the Länder do actually support museums and cultural institutions as part of cultural funding.
    4. D — Sports funding, for example via the German Olympic Sports Confederation and federal funds, is a genuine state responsibility.

    Source: www.bundesregierung.de

  15. Question 15 of 33Catalogue question 255

    In Germany, for problems with raising children, parents can get help from the …

    1. A — The public order office deals with public safety and order, not questions of upbringing.
    2. B — The school authority is responsible for school organisational matters, not primarily for family support in upbringing.
    3. C — Correct: under the Child and Youth Welfare Act (Book VIII of the Social Code), the youth welfare office offers advice and support for problems with raising children.
    4. D — The public health office is responsible for health matters, not primarily for advice on upbringing.

    Source: www.gesetze-im-internet.de

  16. Question 16 of 33Catalogue question 6

    What is Germany's constitution called?

    1. A — "Volksgesetz" (People's Law) is not an official name of any German legal text.
    2. B — "Bundesgesetz" (Federal Law) is a general umbrella term for laws of the Bund, not the name of the constitution.
    3. C — "Deutsches Gesetz" (German Law) is not an official designation.
    4. D — Correct: the constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany is called the Grundgesetz (Basic Law), promulgated in 1949.

    Source: www.gesetze-im-internet.de

  17. Question 17 of 33Catalogue question 192

    Which of today's German federal states was formerly part of East Germany?

    1. A — Correct: Brandenburg was one of the five "new states" that joined the Federal Republic in 1990.
    2. B — Bavaria lay throughout in the American occupation zone and belonged to old West Germany, not East Germany.
    3. C — The Saarland belonged to the French zone or was for a time a separate territory, and joined the Federal Republic in 1957 — never part of East Germany.
    4. D — Hesse lay in the American zone and belonged to old West Germany, not East Germany.

    Source: www.bpb.de

  18. Question 18 of 33Catalogue question 212

    What is Germany's full name?

    1. A — "Federal State Germany" is not an official state designation.
    2. B — "Federal States Germany" is not an official state designation but describes the constituent states.
    3. C — Correct: the official full name is Bundesrepublik Deutschland (Federal Republic of Germany), laid down in the Basic Law.
    4. D — "Federal District Germany" is not an official designation.

    Source: www.gesetze-im-internet.de

  19. Question 19 of 33Catalogue question 138

    What can I do in Germany if my employer has dismissed me unjustly?

    1. A — Being friendly does not change the legal situation and does not protect against an invalid dismissal.
    2. B — A default summons procedure serves to enforce monetary claims, not to contest a dismissal.
    3. C — Correct: an unfair dismissal claim can be filed with the labour court within three weeks against a (allegedly) invalid dismissal (§ 4 Dismissal Protection Act).
    4. D — An unjustified dismissal is a matter of employment law, not criminal law; the police have no jurisdiction over it.

    Source: www.gesetze-im-internet.de

  20. Question 20 of 33Catalogue question 46

    The German state has many responsibilities. Which of these is one of them?

    1. A — Correct: building and maintaining infrastructure such as roads and educational facilities such as schools is a classic state responsibility as part of public services.
    2. B — Selling food and clothing is a matter for private businesses within the market economy, not the state.
    3. C — There is no state-provided free newspaper supply; the press is free and organised privately.
    4. D — Car and bus manufacturing is carried out by private companies, not by the state.

    Source: www.bundesregierung.de

  21. Question 21 of 33Catalogue question 134

    Someone wants to abolish the bus line you always take to work. What can you do to keep the bus line?

    1. A — Correct: a citizens' initiative is precisely the intended means for exerting local political influence on concrete administrative decisions such as public transport.
    2. B — Cycling does not solve the problem of a discontinued bus line and is not a form of political influence.
    3. C — Taxpayers have no direct enforceable right to a particular bus line, and the tax office is not responsible for public transport planning.
    4. D — The forestry office is responsible for forests, not public transport — the correct body would be the transport or public order office, or the municipal council.

    Source: www.bmi.bund.de

  22. Question 22 of 33Catalogue question 151

    Who built the Berlin Wall?

    1. A — Great Britain was a Western occupying power but had no part in building the wall.
    2. B — Correct: the East German (GDR) leadership had the Berlin Wall built during the night of 12–13 August 1961 to stop its citizens fleeing to the West.
    3. C — The Federal Republic of Germany (the West) was the destination of the flight movement, not the builder of the wall.
    4. D — The USA was a Western occupying power but was not involved in building the wall.

    Source: www.bpb.de

  23. Question 23 of 33Catalogue question 261

    A man wants to complete his Abitur at age 30 in Germany. Where can he do this?

    1. A — A university already requires the Abitur as a prerequisite; you cannot obtain it there.
    2. B — Correct: an evening grammar school (Abendgymnasium) enables working adults to obtain the Abitur later in life alongside their job.
    3. C — The Hauptschule leads to a lower-level qualification, not the Abitur.
    4. D — A private university likewise already requires a higher education entrance qualification.

    Source: www.kmk.org

  24. Question 24 of 33Catalogue question 13

    In parliament, the term "opposition" refers to …

    1. A — The opposite is true: the governing parties form the government majority, not the opposition.
    2. B — The largest parliamentary group may or may not be part of the government; size alone does not define the opposition.
    3. C — The 5% threshold governs entry into parliament, regardless of whether a party later governs or is in opposition.
    4. D — Correct: the opposition consists of all members and parliamentary groups that do not form the government — they hold the government to account in parliament.

    Source: www.bundestag.de

  25. Question 25 of 33Catalogue question 99

    Who pays for social insurance in Germany?

    1. A — Correct: social insurance contributions are, as a rule, shared equally between employers and employees.
    2. B — Contributions from employees alone contradict the basic principle of equal-share financing in Germany.
    3. C — Not all citizens pay social insurance contributions, only employees subject to social insurance (or their employers).
    4. D — Contributions from employers alone do not match the equal-share financing model.

    Source: www.deutsche-rentenversicherung.de

  26. Question 26 of 33Catalogue question 242

    In Germany, who decides whether a child attends kindergarten?

    1. A — Unlike compulsory schooling, attending kindergarten is not mandated by the state in Germany.
    2. B — The federal states do regulate the legal framework (e.g. the right to a childcare place), but do not decide in individual cases whether a particular child attends.
    3. C — Correct: attending kindergarten is voluntary in Germany; the parents or legal guardians decide whether their child goes.
    4. D — Schools are responsible for compulsory schooling, not for the kindergarten decision, which comes before school age.

    Source: www.bmfsfj.de

  27. Question 27 of 33Catalogue question 217

    During what period did the German Democratic Republic (GDR) exist?

    1. A — 1919 to 1927 falls within the Weimar Republic era, long before East Germany was founded.
    2. B — 1933 to 1945 was the Nazi era, not the East German era.
    3. C — 1945 to 1961 ends with the building of the wall, but East Germany continued to exist for almost thirty more years afterwards.
    4. D — Correct: East Germany existed from its founding on 7 October 1949 until its accession to the Federal Republic on 3 October 1990.

    Source: www.bpb.de

  28. Question 28 of 33Catalogue question 165

    What was the name of the first Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany?

    1. A — Correct: Konrad Adenauer (CDU) was elected the first Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1949 and remained in office until 1963.
    2. B — Kiesinger was the third Federal Chancellor (1966–1969), head of the first grand coalition.
    3. C — Helmut Schmidt was the fifth Federal Chancellor (1974–1982).
    4. D — Willy Brandt was the fourth Federal Chancellor (1969–1974), known for his Ostpolitik.

    Source: www.bundeskanzler.de

  29. Question 29 of 33Catalogue question 173

    The Federal Republic of Germany is a founding member of …

    1. A — West Germany only joined NATO in 1955 — not a founding member (NATO was founded in 1949).
    2. B — West Germany only joined the United Nations in 1973, together with East Germany — not a founding member (the UN was founded in 1945).
    3. C — Correct: the Federal Republic of Germany was one of the six founding members of the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1957/58, from which the EU later emerged.
    4. D — The Warsaw Pact (1955) was the Eastern military alliance led by the Soviet Union; West Germany was a member of NATO, not the Warsaw Pact, and even East Germany only joined it after its founding.

    Source: european-union.europa.eu

  30. Question 30 of 33Catalogue question 160

    Which war lasted from 1939 to 1945?

    1. A — The First World War lasted from 1914 to 1918, not 1939 to 1945.
    2. B — Correct: the Second World War began on 1 September 1939 with the German invasion of Poland and ended on 8 May 1945 in Europe.
    3. C — The Vietnam War took place from the 1950s to the 1970s, not 1939 to 1945.
    4. D — The Gulf War took place in 1990/91, many decades later.

    Source: www.bpb.de

  31. Questions on Schleswig-Holstein

    Question 31 of 33Schleswig-Holstein · Catalogue question 10

    Which minister does Schleswig-Holstein not have?

    1. A — A justice ministry is one of the classic departments of every state government, including Schleswig-Holstein's.
    2. B — Correct: foreign policy is exclusively a federal matter (Art. 32 Basic Law); no federal state — including Schleswig-Holstein — has its own foreign ministry.
    3. C — A finance ministry is one of the classic departments of every state government, including Schleswig-Holstein's.
    4. D — An interior ministry is one of the classic departments of every state government, including Schleswig-Holstein's.

    Source: www.gesetze-im-internet.de

  32. Question 32 of 33Schleswig-Holstein · Catalogue question 8Image question

    Which federal state is Schleswig-Holstein?

    A map of Germany with the borders of all federal states. Four states are highlighted in one and the same shade and outlined in dark; each carries a number from 1 to 4 on a dark disc, placed beside the state on a short leader line where the state is very small. The remaining states are left unshaded.
    Kartengeometrie: Natural Earth (ne_10m_admin_1_states_provinces), Public Domain. Karte für diese App gezeichnet.
    1. A — On this map the number 1 marks a different federal state. Schleswig-Holstein lies in the far north of Germany, bordering Denmark.
    2. B — Correct: on this map the number 2 sits on Schleswig-Holstein. Schleswig-Holstein lies in the far north of Germany, bordering Denmark.
    3. C — On this map the number 3 marks a different federal state. Schleswig-Holstein lies in the far north of Germany, bordering Denmark.
    4. D — On this map the number 4 marks a different federal state. Schleswig-Holstein lies in the far north of Germany, bordering Denmark.

    Source: www.schleswig-holstein.de

  33. Question 33 of 33Schleswig-Holstein · Catalogue question 2

    Which is a rural district in Schleswig-Holstein?

    1. A — Ammerland lies in Lower Saxony, not in Schleswig-Holstein.
    2. B — The Mecklenburg Lake District lies in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, not in Schleswig-Holstein.
    3. C — Correct: North Frisia lies in the far north of Schleswig-Holstein on the North Sea.
    4. D — The Rhein-Sieg district lies in North Rhine-Westphalia, not in Schleswig-Holstein.

    Source: www.schleswig-holstein.de

Questions on Schleswig-Holstein · Practice tests

Last checked: · Question catalogue in force since 2024-07-01 · Every figure on this page is checked against its primary source.