Question 276 · Federal question
What should you do if you are treated poorly by your contact person at a German authority?
German original (as asked in the real test)
Was sollten Sie tun, wenn Sie von Ihrer Ansprechpartnerin/Ihrem Ansprechpartner in einer deutschen Behörde schlecht behandelt werden?
- A Ich kann nichts tun.
- B Ich muss mir diese Behandlung gefallen lassen.
- C Ich drohe der Person.
- D Ich kann mich bei der Behördenleiterin/beim Behördenleiter beschweren. ✓ Correct answer
Translation
What should you do if you are treated poorly by your contact person at a German authority?
- A I cannot do anything.
- B I have to accept this treatment.
- C I threaten the person.
- D I can complain to the head of the authority. ✓ Correct answer
Explanation
In a rule-of-law state, citizens have the right to seek redress through formal channels. If treated improperly by an authority, you can use official complaint procedures (e.g., to a supervisor or head of the office) rather than accepting misconduct or responding with threats.
Tips
- Prefer options that use formal, legal remedies (complaint, supervisor, administrative channels).
- Eliminate answers that suggest doing nothing, accepting mistreatment, or using threats/violence.
- Watch for keywords like "Beschwerde," "Vorgesetzte," "Leitung," or references to procedural rights.
- In questions about conflicts with authorities, choose solutions consistent with the Rechtsstaat principle: lawful, non-violent, documented procedures.
Practice in the app
