Citizenship test questions on the GDR, the Wall and reunification

With 42 questions, divided Germany is one of the biggest topics in the test – and one of the most predictable, because almost everything hangs on a handful of dates. The questions follow the story: four occupation zones and four sectors in Berlin after 1945, the Berlin Airlift of 1948/49, the founding of the Federal Republic and the GDR in 1949, the uprising of 17 June 1953, the building of the Wall in 1961, the Monday demonstrations and the opening of the Wall in 1989, and reunification on 3 October 1990. There are also questions on life in the GDR: the planned economy, the Stasi, the Warsaw Pact, the flag and the coat of arms. Study tip: six questions simply ask which of today's federal states belonged to the GDR. Learn the five – Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, Sachsen-Anhalt, Sachsen and Thüringen – and those points are safe.

1. Question 151

   Who built the Wall in Berlin?

   Wer baute die Mauer in Berlin?

   • Great Britain
   • the GDR – Correct answer
   • the Federal Republic of Germany
   • the USA

   In the test (German): die DDR

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2. Question 166

   At which demonstrations in Germany did people chant "Wir sind das Volk" ("We are the people")?

   Bei welchen Demonstrationen in Deutschland riefen die Menschen "Wir sind das Volk"?

   • at the workers' uprising in 1953 in the GDR
   • at the demonstrations in 1968 in the Federal Republic of Germany
   • at the anti-nuclear power demonstrations in 1985 in the Federal Republic of Germany
   • at the Monday demonstrations in 1989 in the GDR – Correct answer

   In the test (German): bei den Montagsdemonstrationen 1989 in der DDR

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3. Question 167

   Which countries were referred to in Germany as the "Allied occupying powers" after the Second World War?

   Welche Länder wurden nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg in Deutschland als "Alliierte Besatzungsmächte" bezeichnet?

   • Soviet Union, Great Britain, Poland, Sweden
   • France, Soviet Union, Italy, Japan
   • USA, Soviet Union, Spain, Portugal
   • USA, Soviet Union, Great Britain, France – Correct answer

   In the test (German): USA, Sowjetunion, Großbritannien, Frankreich

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4. Question 168

   Which country was not an "Allied occupying power" in Germany?

   Welches Land war keine "Alliierte Besatzungsmacht" in Deutschland?

   • USA
   • Soviet Union
   • France
   • Japan – Correct answer

   In the test (German): Japan

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5. Question 169

   When was the Federal Republic of Germany founded?

   Wann wurde die Bundesrepublik Deutschland gegründet?

   • 1939
   • 1945
   • 1949 – Correct answer
   • 1951

   In the test (German): 1949

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6. Question 172

   In which occupation zone was the GDR founded? In the …

   In welcher Besatzungszone wurde die DDR gegründet? In der …

   • American occupation zone
   • French occupation zone
   • British occupation zone
   • Soviet occupation zone – Correct answer

   In the test (German): sowjetischen Besatzungszone

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7. Question 174

   When was the GDR founded?

   Wann wurde die DDR gegründet?

   • 1947
   • 1949 – Correct answer
   • 1953
   • 1956

   In the test (German): 1949

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8. Question 175

   How many occupation zones were there in Germany after the Second World War?

   Wie viele Besatzungszonen gab es in Deutschland nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg?

   • 3
   • 4 – Correct answer
   • 5
   • 6

   In the test (German): 4

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9. Question 176

   How were Germany's occupation zones distributed after 1945?

   Wie waren die Besatzungszonen Deutschlands nach 1945 verteilt?

   

   • 1=Great Britain, 2=Soviet Union, 3=France, 4=USA
   • 1=Soviet Union, 2=Great Britain, 3=USA, 4=France
   • 1=Great Britain, 2=Soviet Union, 3=USA, 4=France – Correct answer
   • 1=Great Britain, 2=USA, 3=Soviet Union, 4=France

   In the test (German): 1=Großbritannien, 2=Sowjetunion, 3=USA, 4=Frankreich

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10. Question 177

    Which German city was divided into four sectors after the Second World War?

    Welche deutsche Stadt wurde nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg in vier Sektoren aufgeteilt?

    • München
    • Berlin – Correct answer
    • Dresden
    • Frankfurt/Oder

    In the test (German): Berlin

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11. Question 178

    From June 1948 to May 1949, the citizens of West Berlin were supplied by an airlift. What circumstance was responsible for this?

    Vom Juni 1948 bis zum Mai 1949 wurden die Bürgerinnen und Bürger von West-Berlin durch eine Luftbrücke versorgt. Welcher Umstand war dafür verantwortlich?

    • For France, supplying the population of West Berlin by aeroplane was cheaper.
    • The American soldiers were afraid of raids during transport by land.
    • For Great Britain, supplying via the airlift was faster.
    • The Soviet Union cut off all traffic by land. – Correct answer

    In the test (German): Die Sowjetunion unterbrach den gesamten Verkehr auf dem Landwege.

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12. Question 185

    What did the expression "Iron Curtain" stand for? For the sealing off …

    Wofür stand der Ausdruck "Eiserner Vorhang"? Für die Abschottung …

    • of the Warsaw Pact from the West – Correct answer
    • of northern Germany from southern Germany
    • of Nazi Germany from the Allies
    • of Europe from the USA

    In the test (German): des Warschauer Pakts gegen den Westen

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13. Question 186

    In 1953 there was an uprising in the GDR which, for a long time, was commemorated by a public holiday in the Federal Republic of Germany. When was that?

    Im Jahr 1953 gab es in der DDR einen Aufstand, an den lange Zeit in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland ein Feiertag erinnerte. Wann war das?

    • 1 May
    • 17 June – Correct answer
    • 20 July
    • 9 November

    In the test (German): 17. Juni

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14. Question 187

    Which German state had a black-red-gold flag with a hammer, compass and wreath of grain?

    Welcher deutsche Staat hatte eine schwarz-rot-goldene Flagge mit Hammer, Zirkel und Ährenkranz?

    

    • Preußen
    • Federal Republic of Germany
    • "Third Reich"
    • GDR – Correct answer

    In the test (German): DDR

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15. Question 188

    In which year was the Wall in Berlin built?

    In welchem Jahr wurde die Mauer in Berlin gebaut?

    • 1953
    • 1956
    • 1959
    • 1961 – Correct answer

    In the test (German): 1961

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16. Question 189

    When did the GDR build the Wall in Berlin?

    Wann baute die DDR die Mauer in Berlin?

    • 1919
    • 1933
    • 1961 – Correct answer
    • 1990

    In the test (German): 1961

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17. Question 190

    What does the abbreviation DDR stand for?

    Was bedeutet die Abkürzung DDR?

    • Dritter Deutscher Rundfunk (Third German Broadcasting)
    • Die Deutsche Republik (The German Republic)
    • Dritte Deutsche Republik (Third German Republic)
    • Deutsche Demokratische Republik (German Democratic Republic) – Correct answer

    In the test (German): Deutsche Demokratische Republik

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18. Question 191

    When was the Wall in Berlin opened to everyone?

    Wann wurde die Mauer in Berlin für alle geöffnet?

    • 1987
    • 1989 – Correct answer
    • 1992
    • 1995

    In the test (German): 1989

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19. Question 192

    Which present-day German federal state used to be part of the territory of the GDR?

    Welches heutige deutsche Bundesland gehörte früher zum Gebiet der DDR?

    • Brandenburg – Correct answer
    • Bayern
    • Saarland
    • Hessen

    In the test (German): Brandenburg

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20. Question 193

    From 1961 to 1989, Berlin was …

    Von 1961 bis 1989 war Berlin …

    • without a mayor.
    • a state of its own.
    • divided by a wall. – Correct answer
    • only reachable by aeroplane.

    In the test (German): durch eine Mauer geteilt.

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21. Question 194

    On 3 October, people in Germany celebrate the Day of German …

    Am 3. Oktober feiert man in Deutschland den Tag der Deutschen …

    • Unity. – Correct answer
    • Nation.
    • Federal States.
    • Cities.

    In the test (German): Einheit.

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22. Question 195

    Which present-day German federal state used to be part of the territory of the GDR?

    Welches heutige deutsche Bundesland gehörte früher zum Gebiet der DDR?

    • Hessen
    • Sachsen-Anhalt – Correct answer
    • Nordrhein-Westfalen
    • Saarland

    In the test (German): Sachsen-Anhalt

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23. Question 196

    Why is the period in autumn 1989 in the GDR called "Die Wende" ("the turning point")? During this time the GDR changed politically …

    Warum nennt man die Zeit im Herbst 1989 in der DDR "Die Wende"? In dieser Zeit veränderte sich die DDR politisch …

    • from a dictatorship to a democracy. – Correct answer
    • from a liberal market economy to socialism.
    • from a monarchy to social democracy.
    • from a religious state to a communist state.

    In the test (German): von einer Diktatur zur Demokratie.

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24. Question 197

    Which present-day German federal state used to be part of the territory of the GDR?

    Welches heutige deutsche Bundesland gehörte früher zum Gebiet der DDR?

    • Thüringen – Correct answer
    • Hessen
    • Bayern
    • Bremen

    In the test (German): Thüringen

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25. Question 198

    Which present-day German federal state used to be part of the territory of the GDR?

    Welches heutige deutsche Bundesland gehörte früher zum Gebiet der DDR?

    • Bayern
    • Niedersachsen
    • Sachsen – Correct answer
    • Baden-Württemberg

    In the test (German): Sachsen

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26. Question 199

    In the GDR, the abbreviation "Stasi" referred to …

    Mit der Abkürzung "Stasi" meinte man in der DDR …

    • the parliament.
    • the Ministry for State Security. – Correct answer
    • a ruling party.
    • the Ministry of People's Education.

    In the test (German): das Ministerium für Staatssicherheit.

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27. Question 200

    Which present-day German federal state used to be part of the territory of the GDR?

    Welches heutige deutsche Bundesland gehörte früher zum Gebiet der DDR?

    • Hessen
    • Schleswig-Holstein
    • Mecklenburg-Vorpommern – Correct answer
    • Saarland

    In the test (German): Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

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28. Question 201

    Which of the following lists contains only federal states that belonged to the territory of the former GDR?

    Welche der folgenden Auflistungen enthält nur Bundesländer, die zum Gebiet der früheren DDR gehörten?

    • Niedersachsen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Hessen, Schleswig-Holstein, Brandenburg
    • Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Thüringen – Correct answer
    • Bayern, Baden-Württemberg, Rheinland-Pfalz, Thüringen, Sachsen
    • Sachsen, Thüringen, Hessen, Niedersachsen, Brandenburg

    In the test (German): Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Thüringen

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29. Question 202

    Which side did the GDR belong to in the “Cold War”?

    Zu wem gehörte die DDR im "Kalten Krieg"?

    • to the Western powers
    • to the Warsaw Pact – Correct answer
    • to NATO
    • to the non-aligned states

    In the test (German): zum Warschauer Pakt

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30. Question 203

    What was the GDR's economic system called?

    Wie hieß das Wirtschaftssystem der DDR?

    • Market economy
    • Planned economy – Correct answer
    • Supply and demand
    • Capitalism

    In the test (German): Planwirtschaft

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31. Question 204

    How did the Federal Republic of Germany and the GDR become one state?

    Wie wurden die Bundesrepublik Deutschland und die DDR zu einem Staat?

    • The Federal Republic occupied the GDR.
    • Today's five eastern federal states joined the Federal Republic of Germany. – Correct answer
    • The western federal states joined the GDR.
    • The GDR occupied the Federal Republic of Germany.

    In the test (German): Die heutigen fünf östlichen Bundesländer sind der Bundesrepublik Deutschland beigetreten.

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32. Question 205

    With the accession of the GDR to the Federal Republic of Germany, the new federal states now also belong …

    Mit dem Beitritt der DDR zur Bundesrepublik Deutschland gehören die neuen Bundesländer nun auch …

    • to the European Union. – Correct answer
    • to the Warsaw Pact.
    • to OPEC.
    • to the European Defence Community.

    In the test (German): zur Europäischen Union.

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33. Question 207

    Which military alliance was the GDR a member of?

    In welchem Militärbündnis war die DDR Mitglied?

    • NATO
    • the Confederation of the Rhine
    • the Warsaw Pact – Correct answer
    • the European Alliance

    In the test (German): im Warschauer Pakt

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34. Question 208

    What was the “Stasi”?

    Was war die "Stasi"?

    • the secret service in the “Third Reich”
    • a famous German memorial site
    • the secret service of the GDR – Correct answer
    • a German sports club during the Second World War

    In the test (German): der Geheimdienst der DDR

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35. Question 209

    Which was the coat of arms of the German Democratic Republic?

    Welches war das Wappen der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik?

    • Image 1
    • Image 2
    • Image 3
    • Image 4 – Correct answer

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36. Question 210

    What happened in the GDR on 17 June 1953?

    Was ereignete sich am 17. Juni 1953 in der DDR?

    • the ceremonial accession to the Warsaw Pact
    • nationwide strikes and a popular uprising – Correct answer
    • the 1st SED party congress
    • Fidel Castro's first visit

    In the test (German): landesweite Streiks und ein Volksaufstand

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37. Question 215

    Who is referred to as the “Chancellor of German Unity”?

    Wer wird als "Kanzler der Deutschen Einheit" bezeichnet?

    • Gerhard Schröder
    • Helmut Kohl – Correct answer
    • Konrad Adenauer
    • Helmut Schmidt

    In the test (German): Helmut Kohl

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38. Question 217

    During which period did the German Democratic Republic (GDR) exist?

    In welchem Zeitraum gab es die Deutsche Demokratische Republik (DDR)?

    • 1919 to 1927
    • 1933 to 1945
    • 1945 to 1961
    • 1949 to 1990 – Correct answer

    In the test (German): 1949 bis 1990

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39. Question 218

    How many federal states joined the Federal Republic of Germany at reunification in 1990?

    Wie viele Bundesländer kamen bei der Wiedervereinigung 1990 zur Bundesrepublik Deutschland hinzu?

    • 4
    • 5 – Correct answer
    • 6
    • 7

    In the test (German): 5

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40. Question 219

    The Federal Republic of Germany has had its present-day borders since …

    Die Bundesrepublik Deutschland hat die Grenzen von heute seit …

    • 1933
    • 1949
    • 1971
    • 1990 – Correct answer

    In the test (German): 1990

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41. Question 228

    What is the accession of the GDR to the Federal Republic of Germany in 1990 generally called?

    Wie wird der Beitritt der DDR zur Bundesrepublik Deutschland im Jahr 1990 allgemein genannt?

    • NATO eastward enlargement
    • EU eastward enlargement
    • German reunification – Correct answer
    • European Community

    In the test (German): Deutsche Wiedervereinigung

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42. Question 298

    The migrants living in the GDR came mainly from …

    In der DDR lebten vor allem Migrantinnen und Migranten aus …

    • Vietnam, Poland, Mozambique. – Correct answer
    • France, Romania, Somalia.
    • Chile, Hungary, Zimbabwe.
    • North Korea, Mexico, Egypt.

    In the test (German): Vietnam, Polen, Mosambik.

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This guide is not legal advice. Laws and administrative practice can change; your naturalisation authority's information is binding.