So, you wanna be a German?
Have you got what it takes to become a German citizen? After a few failed attempts, and lots of disagreement, Germany is finally introducing a nationwide citizenship test from September 1st, 2008.
From that date on, everyone applying for German citizenship will have to:
- prove you speak German at B1 (Intermediate) level,
- if not, attend German courses (possibly at PROLOG),
- and pass a test covering such wide-ranging topics as German history, democratic traditions, the German constitution and the European Union. Depending upon which of Germany’s 16 federal states the applicant is taking the test, there will also be a few questions specific to regional identity and history.
All in all a selection of 300 questions has been developed, but don’t worry, the actual test will be composed of 33 of the questions. The full list of questions is available online in German on the •taz website and a sample in English on the •Spiegel website.
As a little taster, we’ve picked five questions for you to get an idea of the types of subjects covered.
1. People in Germany are allowed to openly criticize the government because …?
• of religious freedom
• they pay taxes
• they have the right to vote
• of freedom of speech
2. What is the form of government in Germany?
• A monarchy
• A dictatorship
• A republic
• A principality
3. Who was the first chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany?
• Konrad Adenauer
• Kurt Georg Kiesinger
• Helmut Schmidt
• Willy Brandt
4. The Federal Republic of Germany is a founding member of …?
• NATO
• The European Union
• The United Nations
• The Warsaw Pact
5. Which of the following do Germans normally do at Easter
• Leave pumpkins in front of the door
• Decorate a fir tree
• Paint eggs
• Let off fireworks
Answer key: 1-of freedom of speech, 2-a republic, 3-Adenauer, 4-the EU, 5-paint eggs