Question 88 · Federal question
The parliamentary opposition in the German Bundestag ...
German original (as asked in the real test)
Die parlamentarische Opposition im Deutschen Bundestag …
- A kontrolliert die Regierung. ✓ Correct answer
- B entscheidet, wer Bundesministerin/Bundesminister wird.
- C bestimmt, wer im Bundesrat sitzt.
- D schlägt die Regierungschefinnen/Regierungschefs der Länder vor.
Translation
The parliamentary opposition in the German Bundestag ...
- A monitors the government. ✓ Correct answer
- B decides who becomes Federal Minister.
- C determines who sits in the Bundesrat.
- D proposes the heads of government of the federal states.
Explanation
In Germany’s parliamentary system, the opposition in the Bundestag has a key oversight role: it scrutinizes and holds the federal government accountable through debates, inquiries, committees, and investigative commissions. The other tasks listed belong to different actors: federal ministers are appointed on the Chancellor’s proposal by the Federal President; Bundesrat members are delegates of state governments; and minister-presidents are elected within their respective Länder, not proposed by the Bundestag’s opposition.
Tips
- Look for keywords like oversight, control, scrutiny—these often indicate the opposition’s role in a parliamentary democracy.
- Eliminate options that describe executive appointments or federal-state representation; these are typically handled by the Chancellor/President or state governments, not the parliamentary opposition.
- Recall the separation of roles: Bundestag (legislation and control), Bundesregierung (executive), Bundesrat (states’ chamber), Länder (state-level leadership).
- If multiple options seem plausible, pick the one aligning with checks-and-balances rather than appointments or nominations.
Practice in the app
