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The state and the constitution

What does Rechtsstaat mean, and how is Germany organised? Learn the vocabulary of the constitution, the form of government and public institutions. Distinguish the rules of the state from the people who hold public office.

English translations help you learn. The official examination is in German.

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Useful German vocabulary

die Verfassung
constitution
der Rechtsstaat
state governed by the rule of law

Question 3

Deutschland ist ein Rechtsstaat. Was ist damit gemeint?

Germany is a state governed by the rule of law. What does that mean?

  1. Alle Einwohnerinnen / Einwohner und der Staat müssen sich an die Gesetze halten.All residents and the state must obey the laws.
  2. Der Staat muss sich nicht an die Gesetze halten.The state does not have to obey the laws.
  3. Nur Deutsche müssen die Gesetze befolgen.Only Germans must obey the laws.
  4. Die Gerichte machen die Gesetze.The courts make the laws.
Correct answer and explanation

A. Alle Einwohnerinnen / Einwohner und der Staat müssen sich an die Gesetze halten.

All residents and the state must obey the laws.

A state governed by the rule of law means that both the people and the state must obey the laws. Government authorities are also not allowed to simply act against the law.

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Question 6

Wie heißt die deutsche Verfassung?

What is the German constitution called?

  1. VolksgesetzPeople's Law
  2. BundesgesetzFederal Law
  3. Deutsches GesetzGerman Law
  4. GrundgesetzBasic Law
Correct answer and explanation

D. Grundgesetz

Basic Law

Germany's constitution is called the Basic Law. It contains important rules for the state and the fundamental rights of the people.

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Question 11

Wie wird die Verfassung der Bundesrepublik Deutschland genannt?

What is the constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany called?

  1. GrundgesetzBasic Law
  2. BundesverfassungFederal Constitution
  3. GesetzbuchCode of Laws
  4. VerfassungsvertragConstitutional Treaty
Correct answer and explanation

A. Grundgesetz

Basic Law

The constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany is called the Basic Law. It is the most important legal foundation of the German state.

Question 21

Welches ist das Wappen der Bundesrepublik Deutschland?

Which is the coat of arms of the Federal Republic of Germany?

Question illustration: Which is the coat of arms of the Federal Republic of Germany?
  1. Bild 1Image 1
  2. Bild 2Image 2
  3. Bild 3Image 3
  4. Bild 4Image 4
Correct answer and explanation

A. Bild 1

Image 1

The correct image is Image 1. The coat of arms of the Federal Republic of Germany shows the Federal Eagle.

Question 22

Was für eine Staatsform hat Deutschland?

What form of government does Germany have?

  1. Monarchiemonarchy
  2. Diktaturdictatorship
  3. Republikrepublic
  4. Fürstentumprincipality
Correct answer and explanation

C. Republik

republic

Germany is a republic. Among other things, this means that there is no king or queen as head of state.

Question 26

Deutschland ist …

Germany is …

  1. eine kommunistische Republik.a communist republic.
  2. ein demokratischer und sozialer Bundesstaat.a democratic and social federal state.
  3. eine kapitalistische und soziale Monarchie.a capitalist and social monarchy.
  4. ein sozialer und sozialistischer Bundesstaat.a social and socialist federal state.
Correct answer and explanation

B. ein demokratischer und sozialer Bundesstaat.

a democratic and social federal state.

Germany is a democratic and social federal state. Democracy, the welfare-state principle, and federalism are among the fundamental principles of the state order.

Question 27

Deutschland ist …

Germany is …

  1. ein sozialistischer Staat.a socialist state.
  2. ein Bundesstaat.a federal state.
  3. eine Diktatur.a dictatorship.
  4. eine Monarchie.a monarchy.
Correct answer and explanation

B. ein Bundesstaat.

a federal state.

Germany is a federal state. This means that the federation and the 16 federal states have their own governmental tasks and responsibilities.

Question 29

Welches Tier ist das Wappentier der Bundesrepublik Deutschland?

Which animal is the heraldic animal of the Federal Republic of Germany?

  1. Löwelion
  2. Adlereagle
  3. Bärbear
  4. Pferdhorse
Correct answer and explanation

B. Adler

eagle

The eagle is the heraldic animal of the Federal Republic of Germany. It is therefore also called the Federal Eagle.

Question 32

Was ist keine staatliche Gewalt in Deutschland?

Which is not a branch of state power in Germany?

  1. Gesetzgebunglegislature
  2. Regierunggovernment
  3. Pressepress
  4. Rechtsprechungjudiciary
Correct answer and explanation

C. Presse

press

The press is not a branch of state power. The branches of state power are the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary.

Question 34

Was ist Deutschland nicht?

What is Germany not?

  1. eine Demokratiea democracy
  2. ein Rechtsstaata state governed by the rule of law
  3. eine Monarchiea monarchy
  4. ein Sozialstaata welfare state
Correct answer and explanation

C. eine Monarchie

a monarchy

Germany is not a monarchy. It is a democratic republic, a state governed by the rule of law, and a welfare state.

Question 38

Die Bundesrepublik Deutschland ist ein demokratischer und sozialer …

The Federal Republic of Germany is a democratic and social …

  1. Staatenverbund.union of states.
  2. Bundesstaat.federal state.
  3. Staatenbund.confederation.
  4. Zentralstaat.centralized state.
Correct answer and explanation

B. Bundesstaat.

federal state.

The Federal Republic of Germany is a democratic and social federal state. The federal states have their own responsibilities while also participating in the common federal state.

Question 42

Wer beschließt in Deutschland ein neues Gesetz?

Who passes a new law in Germany?

  1. die Regierungthe government
  2. das Parlamentparliament
  3. die Gerichtethe courts
  4. die Polizeithe police
Correct answer and explanation

B. das Parlament

parliament

New laws are debated and passed by parliament. Courts apply laws, and the police help enforce the law in force.

Question 46

Der deutsche Staat hat viele Aufgaben. Welche Aufgabe gehört dazu?

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

  1. Er baut Straßen und Schulen.It builds roads and schools.
  2. Er verkauft Lebensmittel und Kleidung.It sells food and clothing.
  3. Er versorgt alle Einwohnerinnen und Einwohner kostenlos mit Zeitungen.It provides all residents with newspapers free of charge.
  4. Er produziert Autos und Busse.It produces cars and buses.
Correct answer and explanation

A. Er baut Straßen und Schulen.

It builds roads and schools.

Building and financing public infrastructure such as roads and schools are among the responsibilities of the state. In this way, the state performs important tasks for the general public.

Question 47

Der deutsche Staat hat viele Aufgaben. Welche Aufgabe gehört nicht dazu?

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

  1. Er bezahlt für alle Staatsangehörigen Urlaubsreisen.It pays for vacation trips for all citizens.
  2. Er zahlt Kindergeld.It pays child benefit.
  3. Er unterstützt Museen.It supports museums.
  4. Er fördert Sportlerinnen und Sportler.It supports athletes.
Correct answer and explanation

A. Er bezahlt für alle Staatsangehörigen Urlaubsreisen.

It pays for vacation trips for all citizens.

The state does not pay for vacation trips for all citizens. Benefits such as child benefit, as well as support for culture and sports, can, by contrast, be state responsibilities.

Question 48

Welches Organ gehört nicht zu den Verfassungsorganen Deutschlands?

Which body is not one of Germany's constitutional organs?

  1. der Bundesratthe Bundesrat
  2. die Bundespräsidentin / der Bundespräsidentthe Federal President
  3. die Bürgerversammlungthe citizens' assembly
  4. die Regierungthe government
Correct answer and explanation

C. die Bürgerversammlung

the citizens' assembly

A citizens' assembly is not one of Germany's constitutional organs. Constitutional organs include, among others, the Bundestag, Bundesrat, Federal President, Federal Government, and Federal Constitutional Court.

Question 52

Was bedeutet 'Volkssouveränität'? Alle Staatsgewalt geht vom ...

What does 'popular sovereignty' mean? All state authority derives from the ...

  1. Volke aus.people.
  2. Bundestag aus.Bundestag.
  3. preußischen König aus.Prussian king.
  4. Bundesverfassungsgericht aus.Federal Constitutional Court.
Correct answer and explanation

A. Volke aus.

people.

Popular sovereignty means that political power comes from the people. Through elections, citizens help decide who makes political decisions.

Question 53

Was bedeutet 'Rechtsstaat' in Deutschland?

What does 'constitutional state' mean in Germany?

  1. Der Staat hat Recht.The state is always right.
  2. Es gibt nur rechte Parteien.There are only right-wing parties.
  3. Die Bürgerinnen und Bürger entscheiden über Gesetze.Citizens decide on laws.
  4. Der Staat muss die Gesetze einhalten.The state must comply with the laws.
Correct answer and explanation

D. Der Staat muss die Gesetze einhalten.

The state must comply with the laws.

A constitutional state means that the state itself is also bound by the law. Authorities and the government cannot simply do whatever they want.

Question 54

Was ist keine staatliche Gewalt in Deutschland?

Which is not a branch of state power in Germany?

  1. LegislativeLegislature
  2. JudikativeJudiciary
  3. ExekutiveExecutive
  4. DirektiveDirective
Correct answer and explanation

D. Direktive

Directive

Germany has three branches of state power: the legislature, executive, and judiciary. A 'directive' is not part of this separation of powers.

Question 55

Was zeigt dieses Bild?

What does this picture show?

Question illustration: What does this picture show?
  1. den Bundestagssitz in Berlinthe seat of the Bundestag in Berlin
  2. das Bundesverfassungsgericht in Karlsruhethe Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe
  3. das Bundesratsgebäude in Berlinthe Bundesrat building in Berlin
  4. das Bundeskanzleramt in Berlinthe Federal Chancellery in Berlin
Correct answer and explanation

A. den Bundestagssitz in Berlin

the seat of the Bundestag in Berlin

The picture shows the seat of the German Bundestag in Berlin. The Bundestag is the federal parliament and meets in the Reichstag building.

Question 60

In Deutschland gehören der Bundestag und der Bundesrat zur …

In Germany, the Bundestag and the Bundesrat belong to the ...

  1. Exekutive.executive.
  2. Legislative.legislature.
  3. Direktive.directive.
  4. Judikative.judiciary.
Correct answer and explanation

B. Legislative.

legislature.

The Bundestag and Bundesrat belong to the legislature. The legislature is the law-making branch of government and participates in creating laws.

Question 61

Was bedeutet 'Volkssouveränität'?

What does 'popular sovereignty' mean?

  1. Die Königin / der König herrscht über das Volk.The queen / king rules over the people.
  2. Das Bundesverfassungsgericht steht über der Verfassung.The Federal Constitutional Court stands above the constitution.
  3. Die Interessenverbände üben die Souveränität zusammen mit der Regierung aus.Interest groups exercise sovereignty together with the government.
  4. Die Staatsgewalt geht vom Volke aus.State authority derives from the people.
Correct answer and explanation

D. Die Staatsgewalt geht vom Volke aus.

State authority derives from the people.

Popular sovereignty means that all state authority derives from the people. In Germany, this happens mainly through elections and democratic institutions.

Question 63

Was gehört in Deutschland nicht zur Exekutive?

Which does not belong to the executive branch in Germany?

  1. die Polizeithe police
  2. die Gerichtethe courts
  3. das Finanzamtthe tax office
  4. die Ministerienthe ministries
Correct answer and explanation

B. die Gerichte

the courts

The courts do not belong to the executive branch, but to the judiciary. The police, tax offices, and ministries, on the other hand, are part of the executive branch.

Question 65

Es gehört nicht zu den Aufgaben des Deutschen Bundestages, …

It is not one of the duties of the German Bundestag to ...

  1. Gesetze zu entwerfen.draft laws.
  2. die Bundesregierung zu kontrollieren.monitor the federal government.
  3. die Bundeskanzlerin / den Bundeskanzler zu wählen.elect the Federal Chancellor.
  4. das Bundeskabinett zu bilden.form the federal cabinet.
Correct answer and explanation

D. das Bundeskabinett zu bilden.

form the federal cabinet.

The Bundestag monitors the federal government, passes laws, and elects the Federal Chancellor. However, the federal cabinet is not formed by the Bundestag.

Question 68

Warum kontrolliert der Staat in Deutschland das Schulwesen?

Why does the state supervise the school system in Germany?

  1. weil es in Deutschland nur staatliche Schulen gibtbecause there are only state schools in Germany
  2. weil alle Schülerinnen und Schüler einen Schulabschluss haben müssenbecause all pupils must obtain a school-leaving qualification
  3. weil es in den Bundesländern verschiedene Schulen gibtbecause there are different types of schools in the federal states
  4. weil es nach dem Grundgesetz seine Aufgabe istbecause it is its responsibility under the Basic Law
Correct answer and explanation

D. weil es nach dem Grundgesetz seine Aufgabe ist

because it is its responsibility under the Basic Law

Under the Basic Law, the state is responsible for supervising the school system. Therefore, state authorities oversee schools and important rules of the education system.

Question 71

Wo hält sich die deutsche Bundeskanzlerin / der deutsche Bundeskanzler am häufigsten auf?

Where does the German Federal Chancellor spend most of their time?

  1. in Bonn, weil sich dort das Bundeskanzleramt und der Bundestag befinden.in Bonn, because the Federal Chancellery and the Bundestag are located there.
  2. auf Schloss Meseberg, dem Gästehaus der Bundesregierung, um Staatsgäste zu empfangen.at Meseberg Castle, the federal government's guest house, to receive state guests.
  3. auf Schloss Bellevue, dem Amtssitz der Bundespräsidentin / des Bundespräsidenten, um Staatsgäste zu empfangen.at Bellevue Palace, the official residence of the Federal President, to receive state guests.
  4. in Berlin, weil sich dort das Bundeskanzleramt und der Bundestag befinden.in Berlin, because the Federal Chancellery and the Bundestag are located there.
Correct answer and explanation

D. in Berlin, weil sich dort das Bundeskanzleramt und der Bundestag befinden.

in Berlin, because the Federal Chancellery and the Bundestag are located there.

The main workplace of the Federal Chancellor is Berlin. The Federal Chancellery and the German Bundestag are located there.

Question 74

Wie heißt das Parlament für ganz Deutschland?

What is the parliament for all of Germany called?

  1. BundesversammlungFederal Convention
  2. VolkskammerPeople's Chamber
  3. BundestagBundestag
  4. BundesgerichtshofFederal Court of Justice
Correct answer and explanation

C. Bundestag

Bundestag

The parliament for all of Germany is called the German Bundestag. There, members of parliament debate and pass federal laws and monitor the federal government.

Question 77

Was ist die Bundeswehr?

What is the Bundeswehr?

  1. die deutsche Polizeithe German police
  2. ein deutscher Hafena German port
  3. eine deutsche Bürgerinitiativea German citizens' initiative
  4. die deutsche Armeethe German armed forces
Correct answer and explanation

D. die deutsche Armee

the German armed forces

The Bundeswehr is Germany's armed forces. It is part of the state's defense sector.

Question 131

In Deutschland ist eine Bürgermeisterin / ein Bürgermeister …

In Germany, a mayor is …

  1. die Leiterin / der Leiter einer Schule.the head of a school.
  2. die Chefin / der Chef einer Bank.the head of a bank.
  3. das Oberhaupt einer Gemeinde.the head of a municipality.
  4. die / der Vorsitzende einer Partei.the chairperson of a political party.
Correct answer and explanation

C. das Oberhaupt einer Gemeinde.

the head of a municipality.

A mayor leads a city or municipality politically and administratively. They are the head of the municipality.

Question 143

Eine Richterin / ein Richter in Deutschland gehört zur …

A judge in Germany belongs to the …

  1. Judikative.judiciary.
  2. Exekutive.executive.
  3. Operative.operations branch.
  4. Legislative.legislature.
Correct answer and explanation

A. Judikative.

judiciary.

Judges belong to the judiciary. The judiciary is the branch of government responsible for administering justice.

Question 144

Eine Richterin / ein Richter gehört in Deutschland zur …

A judge in Germany belongs to the …

  1. vollziehenden Gewalt.executive branch.
  2. rechtsprechenden Gewalt.judicial branch.
  3. planenden Gewalt.planning branch.
  4. gesetzgebenden Gewalt.legislative branch.
Correct answer and explanation

B. rechtsprechenden Gewalt.

judicial branch.

The judicial branch is called the judiciary. Judges belong to this branch of state power.

Question 145

In Deutschland wird die Staatsgewalt geteilt. Für welche Staatsgewalt arbeitet eine Richterin / ein Richter? Für die …

In Germany, state power is divided. For which branch of state power does a judge work? For the …

  1. Judikativejudiciary
  2. Exekutiveexecutive
  3. Pressepress
  4. Legislativelegislature
Correct answer and explanation

A. Judikative

judiciary

Germany divides state power into the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Judges work for the judiciary, which is the branch responsible for administering justice.

Question 212

Wie heißt Deutschland mit vollem Namen?

What is Germany's full official name?

  1. Bundesstaat DeutschlandFederal State of Germany
  2. Bundesländer DeutschlandFederal States of Germany
  3. Bundesrepublik DeutschlandFederal Republic of Germany
  4. Bundesbezirk DeutschlandFederal District of Germany
Correct answer and explanation

C. Bundesrepublik Deutschland

Federal Republic of Germany

The full official name is the Federal Republic of Germany. Germany is a federal state with 16 federal states.

Question 213

Wie viele Einwohner hat Deutschland?

How many inhabitants does Germany have?

  1. 70 Millionen70 million
  2. 78 Millionen78 million
  3. 84 Millionen84 million
  4. 90 Millionen90 million
Correct answer and explanation

C. 84 Millionen

84 million

Germany has approximately 84 million inhabitants. The exact number changes over time, but this approximate figure applies for the test.

Question 214

Welche Farben hat die deutsche Flagge?

What colors are on the German flag?

  1. schwarz-rot-goldblack-red-gold
  2. rot-weiß-schwarzred-white-black
  3. schwarz-rot-grünblack-red-green
  4. schwarz-gelb-rotblack-yellow-red
Correct answer and explanation

A. schwarz-rot-gold

black-red-gold

The German flag has the colors black, red, and gold. The three colors appear in horizontal stripes from top to bottom.

Question 253

Wo müssen Sie sich anmelden, wenn Sie in Deutschland umziehen?

Where do you have to register when you move within Germany?

  1. beim Einwohnermeldeamtat the residents' registration office
  2. beim Standesamtat the registry office
  3. beim Ordnungsamtat the public order office
  4. beim Gewerbeamtat the trade office
Correct answer and explanation

A. beim Einwohnermeldeamt

at the residents' registration office

After moving, you must register your new address at the residents' registration office. Your new place of residence is officially recorded there.

Question 256

Ein Ehepaar möchte in Deutschland ein Restaurant eröffnen. Was braucht es dazu unbedingt?

A married couple wants to open a restaurant in Germany. What do they definitely need?

  1. eine Erlaubnis der Polizeipermission from the police
  2. eine Genehmigung einer Parteiapproval from a political party
  3. eine Genehmigung des Einwohnermeldeamtsapproval from the residents' registration office
  4. eine Gaststättenerlaubnis von der zuständigen Behördea restaurant permit from the competent authority
Correct answer and explanation

D. eine Gaststättenerlaubnis von der zuständigen Behörde

a restaurant permit from the competent authority

Anyone who wants to open a restaurant needs a restaurant permit from the competent authority. This permit is necessary to operate the business.

Question 276

Was sollten Sie tun, wenn Sie von Ihrer Ansprechpartnerin / Ihrem Ansprechpartner in einer deutschen Behörde schlecht behandelt werden?

What should you do if you are treated badly by your contact person at a German public authority?

  1. Ich kann nichts tun.I cannot do anything.
  2. Ich muss mir diese Behandlung gefallen lassen.I have to put up with this treatment.
  3. Ich drohe der Person.I threaten the person.
  4. Ich kann mich bei der Behördenleiterin / beim Behördenleiter beschweren.I can complain to the head of the authority.
Correct answer and explanation

D. Ich kann mich bei der Behördenleiterin / beim Behördenleiter beschweren.

I can complain to the head of the authority.

If you feel you have been treated badly at a public authority, you can complain to the management of the authority. You do not simply have to accept inappropriate behavior.

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Sources and edition

These study pages use the same question dataset as the EBTest app, based on the BAMF catalogue dated 7 May 2025. Translations, study categories and explanations are independent learning aids, not official BAMF material. Check the BAMF for current information. Practice results are not official certificates.