Question 134 of 300 · Living in a Democracy

Question 134: They want to abolish the bus line you always use to get to work. What can you do to keep the bus line?

Official question from the BAMF catalog used for the Einbürgerungstest (German citizenship test) and the Leben in Deutschland test. Topic: Living in a Democracy.

The question as it appears on the exam

Man will die Buslinie abschaffen, mit der Sie immer zur Arbeit fahren. Was können Sie machen, um die Buslinie zu erhalten?

The Einbürgerungstest is written and sat in German only, with no dictionary allowed. Use the English below to understand the question, but learn to recognise the German wording above — that is what you will see on the day.

Diese Frage auf Deutsch →

Answer options

AIch beteilige mich an einer Bürgerinitiative für die Erhaltung der Buslinie oder gründe selber eine Initiative.I participate in a citizens' initiative to keep the bus line or start one myself.Correct
BIch werde Mitglied in einem Sportverein und trainiere Radfahren.I join a sports club and train cycling.
CIch wende mich an das Finanzamt, weil ich als Steuerzahlerin/Steuerzahler ein Recht auf die Buslinie habe.I contact the tax office because as a taxpayer I have a right to the bus line.
DIch schreibe einen Brief an das Forstamt der Gemeinde.I write a letter to the forestry office of the municipality.

Correct answer

A — Ich beteilige mich an einer Bürgerinitiative für die Erhaltung der Buslinie oder gründe selber eine Initiative.

I participate in a citizens' initiative to keep the bus line or start one myself.

Why this is the answer

This question belongs to the topic area “Leben in der Demokratie” (living in a democracy). One principle sits behind almost all of them: in Germany, state authority comes from the people — Article 20 of the Grundgesetz (the constitution). Citizens elect parliaments, parliaments pass laws, and the government answers to parliament. When you are unsure which option is right, ask yourself whether the answer increases ordinary people's say in government and puts limits on power. That option is almost always the correct one.

Key exam terms in this question

These exam terms appear in the question or in the answer options. Once you know them, you can still spot the right answer when the wording changes.

die Gemeinde — municipality / parish (local)
Die Gemeinde hat ein Rathaus.

All exam vocabulary with translations →

How this question fits into the exam

On exam day you answer 33 questions in 60 minutes: 30 from the general catalog of 300 questions — this question is one of them — and 3 about your federal state. You pass with 17 correct answers. Aiming for exactly 17 leaves no margin for nerves, so take timed mock exams until 33 out of 33 feels routine.

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