“Vivre ensemble” exam simulator

In which text are the fundamental rights of Luxembourg citizens set down?

• In municipal by-laws
• In the Constitution — Correct answer
• In the Highway Code

Why · The Constitution is the text that sets fundamental rights down in writing, such as equality and freedom. It also determines the form of government and how power is organised. Municipal by-laws apply to a single commune and carry no such status.

During which event were the rights of man and of the citizen proclaimed for the first time?

• During the French Revolution — Correct answer
• At the creation of the European Union
• During the First World War

Why · The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was adopted in 1789, during the French Revolution. It was the first text to proclaim these rights as universal and inalienable, and it inspired every declaration that followed.

In which year was the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations?

• 1918
• 1948 — Correct answer
• 1968

Why · It was adopted on 10 December 1948 in Paris, three years after the end of the Second World War. That date is now marked every year as International Human Rights Day.

The Charter of Fundamental Rights belongs to which organisation?

• The European Union — Correct answer
• The Council of Europe
• The United Nations

Why · The Charter of Fundamental Rights is the European Union's reference text. Do not confuse it with the European Convention on Human Rights, which belongs to the Council of Europe — two entirely separate organisations.

Which Luxembourg court checks whether laws comply with the Constitution?

• The district court
• The Administrative Court
• The Constitutional Court — Correct answer

Why · The Constitutional Court rules on whether laws conform to the Constitution. It is seized by way of a preliminary question, when a court hearing a case has a constitutional doubt about the law it must apply.

What is the political system of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg?

• A parliamentary republic
• A constitutional monarchy — Correct answer
• An absolute monarchy

Why · Luxembourg is a parliamentary democracy in the form of a constitutional monarchy. The Grand Duke is head of state, but his powers are framed by the Constitution and the Government answers for its actions before the Chamber of Deputies.

How many deputies sit in the Chamber of Deputies?

• 40
• 60 — Correct answer
• 80

Why · The Chamber of Deputies has 60 members, elected for five years across four constituencies: South, Centre, North and East. It is the body that votes laws and scrutinises the Government.

Who appoints and dismisses the members of the Government?

• The Grand Duke — Correct answer
• The Chamber of Deputies
• The Council of State

Why · The Grand Duke appoints and dismisses members of the Government. That power is exercised within a parliamentary system: the Government must hold the confidence of the Chamber of Deputies, to which it is accountable.

Which body gives an opinion on draft laws before they are voted on?

• The Court of Auditors
• The Council of State — Correct answer
• The Economic and Social Council

Why · The Council of State, made up of 21 members, examines government and parliamentary bills and issues a reasoned opinion before the vote. It acts as a technical and legal second reading, without being a second parliamentary chamber.

How often are legislative elections held?

• Every four years
• Every five years — Correct answer
• Every six years

Why · Legislative elections, which return the 60 deputies, take place every five years. Do not confuse them with municipal elections, which are held every six years.

Who runs the administration of a Luxembourg commune?

• The college of the mayor and aldermen — Correct answer
• A prefect appointed by the Government
• The municipal council of state

Why · The college of the mayor and aldermen is the municipal executive: it implements the decisions of the municipal council and runs day-to-day administration. The municipal council itself is the deliberative body elected by residents.

How often are municipal elections held?

• Every five years
• Every six years — Correct answer
• Every seven years

Why · Municipal elections take place every six years. Foreign residents entered on the electoral roll may take part, subject to conditions — an important difference from legislative elections.

Which court has the final say in disputes with the administration?

• The Superior Court of Justice
• The Administrative Court — Correct answer
• The Constitutional Court

Why · The administrative branch comprises the Administrative Tribunal at first instance and the Administrative Court on appeal. The judicial branch, headed by the Superior Court of Justice, handles civil, commercial and criminal matters instead.

What are the three administrative languages of Luxembourg?

• Luxembourgish, French and German — Correct answer
• French, German and English
• Luxembourgish, French and Portuguese

Why · The law of 24 February 1984 makes Luxembourgish the national language and recognises Luxembourgish, French and German as administrative and judicial languages. Legislation itself is drafted in French.

To which body is the Government politically accountable?

• To the Grand Duke
• To the Chamber of Deputies — Correct answer
• To the Council of State

Why · This is the defining principle of a parliamentary system: the Government must account for its actions before the Chamber of Deputies, which can withdraw its confidence. The Council of State has an advisory role, not a political oversight role.

What does the medieval name “Lucilinburhuc” mean?

• Great trading town
• Little castle — Correct answer
• Valley of the three rivers

Why · “Lucilinburhuc” means “little castle”. It refers to the fortress built on the Bock promontory, on top of Roman remains. The name Luxembourg — today both the capital and the country — derives from it.

In which year did Count Siegfried acquire the Bock promontory, the founding act of Luxembourg?

• 843
• 963 — Correct answer
• 1083

Why · In 963, Siegfried obtained the Bock rock through an exchange with the Abbey of St Maximin in Trier. That date is regarded as the birth of Luxembourg: the town grew up around this fortress.

Since which year has Luxembourg held the title of Grand Duchy?

• 1354
• 1815 — Correct answer
• 1839

Why · The Congress of Vienna raised Luxembourg to a Grand Duchy in 1815. Before that the territory was a county until 1354, then a duchy. The year 1839, often confused with this one, is the Treaty of London that fixed today's borders and opened the way to independence.

Which organisation, the ancestor of the European Union, brought six states together around coal and steel in the early 1950s?

• The European Coal and Steel Community — Correct answer
• The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
• The Council of Europe

Why · The ECSC, created by the 1951 Treaty of Paris, was the first step of European integration. Luxembourg was a founding member and hosted its High Authority, which is why Luxembourg City sits among the European capitals.

Which agreements, signed in 1985 in a Luxembourg village, abolished checks at internal borders?

• The Schengen Agreements — Correct answer
• The Treaties of Rome
• The Maastricht Treaty

Why · The Schengen Agreements were signed on 14 June 1985 in Schengen, on the border between Luxembourg, France and Germany. They gave rise to the free-movement area that still bears the village's name.