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Social Studies practice questions

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Question 1Historical evidence, chronology and justified interpretation

In der Quellenanalyse zur Französischen Revolution untersuchst du ein Dekret der Nationalversammlung von 1789. Welches Merkmal kennzeichnet einen solchen normativen Text (texte normatif) im Unterschied zu einer erzählenden Quelle?

  1. Er formuliert verbindliche Regeln und verwendet häufig performative Formeln wie „décrète“ oder „ordonne“. Correct answer.
  2. Er schildert persönliche Empfindungen des Verfassers und ist daher subjektiv gefärbt.
  3. Er beschreibt Ereignisse chronologisch aus der Perspektive eines Augenzeugen.
  4. Er liefert statistische Reihen, die quantitative Vergleiche ermöglichen.

Explanation

Normative Quellen wie Dekrete oder Gesetze legen verbindliche Regeln fest. Performative Formeln signalisieren, dass der Text selbst eine Rechtswirkung erzeugt, statt bloß zu berichten. Deshalb prüft man bei ihnen vor allem Adressat, Reichweite und Rechtskraft.

Question 2Finland: parliamentary government, rights and participation

What is the official name of Finland's unicameral national parliament?

  1. Eduskunta (Riksdagen) Correct answer.
  2. Bundesrat
  3. Senate of Finland
  4. Council of State only

Explanation

Finland's national legislature is the unicameral Eduskunta (Swedish: Riksdagen). It is the supreme legislative body under the Constitution.

Question 3Common economics: scarcity, markets, indicators, policy and trade

What is a market economy's basic coordinating mechanism for many goods and services?

  1. Central government rationing of output to households
  2. Permanent freezing of all prices by tradition alone
  3. Prices formed by supply and demand Correct answer.
  4. Abolition of all private contracts

Explanation

In market systems, prices convey information and incentives: scarcity and preferences interact through supply and demand, guiding production and consumption--while governments still regulate and provide public goods.

Question 4Finland: parliamentary government, rights and participation

According to the Constitution of Finland, how many representatives sit in Parliament?

  1. 100
  2. 150
  3. 200 Correct answer.
  4. 250

Explanation

Section 24 of the Constitution provides that Parliament is unicameral and consists of 200 representatives elected for a four-year term.

Question 5Finland: parliamentary government, rights and participation

How long is the regular term of the Finnish Parliament?

  1. Two years
  2. Four years Correct answer.
  3. Five years
  4. Six years

Explanation

Parliamentary elections are held every four years; MPs are elected for a four-year term under the Constitution.

Question 6Finland: parliamentary government, rights and participation

Who is the head of government in Finland's parliamentary system?

  1. The Prime Minister Correct answer.
  2. The Speaker of Parliament alone
  3. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
  4. The Governor of the Bank of Finland

Explanation

The Prime Minister leads the Government (Council of State). Day-to-day domestic executive power is exercised by the government responsible to Parliament.

Question 7Finland: parliamentary government, rights and participation

How is the President of the Republic of Finland elected?

  1. By Eduskunta alone without a popular vote
  2. By municipal mayors
  3. By direct popular vote Correct answer.
  4. Indirectly, by an electoral college of MPs and local-government electors

Explanation

The President is elected by direct popular vote for a six-year term. If no candidate wins more than half of the votes cast in the first round, a second round is held between the top two candidates.

Question 8Finland: parliamentary government, rights and participation

What is the length of one presidential term in Finland?

  1. Four years
  2. Five years
  3. Eight years
  4. Six years Correct answer.

Explanation

The Constitution sets the presidential term at six years. The same person may be elected for no more than two consecutive terms.

Question 9Finland: parliamentary government, rights and participation

What voting system is used for Finnish parliamentary elections?

  1. First-past-the-post single-member districts only
  2. Open-list proportional representation Correct answer.
  3. Pure presidential appointment of all MPs
  4. Hereditary seats for noble families

Explanation

Finland elects MPs by proportional representation with open candidate lists. Voters typically support a party by choosing an individual candidate, which influences both party seat totals and personal rankings within lists.

Question 10Finland: parliamentary government, rights and participation

In Finland, who primarily forms and leads the cabinet after a parliamentary election?

  1. A prime minister able to command parliamentary confidence, usually after coalition talks Correct answer.
  2. The party with the single most TV ads
  3. The Supreme Court automatically
  4. The European Commission

Explanation

After elections, parties negotiate a government programme and a prime-ministerial candidate who can secure parliamentary confidence. The President formally appoints the government once Parliament has elected the Prime Minister.

Question 11Finland: parliamentary government, rights and participation

What does parliamentary confidence mean for the Finnish Government?

  1. The government can rule only if the President is from the same party
  2. Courts must approve every government meeting
  3. The government must retain the confidence of Parliament to continue in office Correct answer.
  4. Municipal councils must ratify the national budget

Explanation

Finland is a parliamentary democracy: the Government is accountable to the Eduskunta. Loss of confidence can force resignation or a new government.

Question 12Finland: parliamentary government, rights and participation

Under Finland's current constitution, how is leadership of foreign policy generally characterised?

  1. Foreign policy is led solely by municipal mayors
  2. Foreign policy is led by the President in cooperation with the Government Correct answer.
  3. Foreign policy is led only by the European Central Bank
  4. Foreign policy is outlawed by the Constitution

Explanation

The Constitution assigns leadership of foreign policy to the President of the Republic in cooperation with the Government. EU affairs are primarily handled by the Government, with parliamentary involvement.

Question 13Finland: parliamentary government, rights and participation

What is a core feature of municipal self-government in Finland?

  1. Residents' self-government of municipalities is constitutionally protected Correct answer.
  2. Municipalities may ignore national criminal law
  3. Only the President appoints all local councillors
  4. Municipalities cannot levy any local taxes or charges

Explanation

The Constitution protects municipal self-government: Finland is divided into municipalities whose administration is based on the self-government of their residents.

Question 14Finland: parliamentary government, rights and participation

What is the Council of State (valtioneuvosto) in Finland?

  1. The supreme administrative court
  2. The European Council meeting in Brussels only
  3. A purely ceremonial student union
  4. The national government headed by the Prime Minister Correct answer.

Explanation

Valtioneuvosto refers to Finland's Government--the Prime Minister and ministers--which exercises general governing power and is responsible to Parliament.

Question 15Finland: parliamentary government, rights and participation

What role does the Speaker (puhemies) of the Eduskunta mainly perform?

  1. Commanding the Defence Forces in war
  2. Presiding over parliamentary work and representing Parliament Correct answer.
  3. Setting the European Central Bank's interest rate
  4. Writing all municipal zoning plans

Explanation

The Speaker chairs plenary sessions, helps organise parliamentary business, and represents Parliament. The Speaker is not the head of government.

Question 16Finland: parliamentary government, rights and participation

What is a multiparty coalition government, as commonly seen in Finland?

  1. Rule by a single independent mayor nationwide
  2. A temporary court of three judges
  3. A government formed by several parties that together can secure parliamentary support Correct answer.
  4. A monarchy with three kings

Explanation

Because of proportional representation, single parties rarely hold absolute majorities. Finnish governments are typically multiparty coalitions based on a negotiated programme and parliamentary confidence.

Question 17Finland: parliamentary government, rights and participation

What is the general minimum voting age in Finnish national elections?

  1. 18 Correct answer.
  2. 16 for all national elections without exception
  3. 21
  4. 25

Explanation

The general voting age for parliamentary and presidential elections is 18. Adult franchise at 18 is the standard national rule learners should know.

Question 18Finland: parliamentary government, rights and participation

Which statement best describes Finland's form of government?

  1. Absolute monarchy
  2. Parliamentary republic with a popularly elected President Correct answer.
  3. Military junta
  4. Theocracy

Explanation

Finland is a democratic parliamentary republic. Parliament is central; the President is directly elected and has defined powers within a parliamentary framework.

Question 19Finland: parliamentary government, rights and participation

What is a key purpose of a government programme (hallitusohjelma) in Finland?

  1. To replace the Constitution permanently
  2. To list only the names of all judges
  3. To set the coalition's political goals and priorities for the electoral term Correct answer.
  4. To cancel all municipal elections

Explanation

Coalition partners negotiate a government programme outlining policy goals, reforms, and fiscal outlines. It guides ministers' work and is a major accountability document.

Question 20Finland: parliamentary government, rights and participation

What is a parliamentary committee's typical role in the Eduskunta?

  1. To prepare and scrutinise legislative and other matters before plenary decisions Correct answer.
  2. To replace the Supreme Court in criminal trials
  3. To print euro banknotes
  4. To appoint EU Commissioners for all member states alone

Explanation

Committees examine bills, budgets, and EU matters in detail, hear experts, and issue reports that shape plenary votes.

Question 21Finland: parliamentary government, rights and participation

What is an opposition's democratic function in the Eduskunta?

  1. To ban all elections
  2. To command the armed forces
  3. To set the ECB deposit facility rate
  4. To scrutinise the government, offer alternatives, and represent voters who did not support the governing parties Correct answer.

Explanation

A loyal opposition criticises, questions, proposes alternatives, and can force accountability through debates, interpellations, and confidence politics.

Question 22Finland: parliamentary government, rights and participation

How does proportional representation tend to affect Finland's party system compared with pure majoritarian systems?

  1. It usually produces only one legal party
  2. It more easily allows multiple parties to win seats and encourages coalition politics Correct answer.
  3. It eliminates all small parties by design always
  4. It removes the need for elections

Explanation

PR systems allocate seats roughly in line with vote shares, enabling several parties to enter Parliament and making multiparty coalitions common--as in Finland.

Question 23Finland: parliamentary government, rights and participation

What is a constructive way to understand semi-presidential features in Finland after constitutional reform?

  1. The President still governs domestic policy alone without Parliament
  2. Courts elect the Prime Minister weekly
  3. Parliamentarism is strong; the President has important but constitutionally bounded roles, especially externally Correct answer.
  4. Municipalities elect the President

Explanation

Reforms culminating in the 2000 Constitution strengthened parliamentarism: government depends on parliamentary confidence. The President remains significant, especially in foreign policy cooperation with the Government.

Question 24Finland: parliamentary government, rights and participation

What is the usual relationship between a Finnish minister and the principle of collective government responsibility?

  1. Ministers are expected to support government policy publicly while collective decisions are taken within constitutional and legal frameworks Correct answer.
  2. Ministers never meet as a government
  3. Each minister may freely veto the Constitution
  4. Ministers are appointed for life without removal

Explanation

Cabinet government involves collective decision-making and solidarity around the programme, within law. Individual ministers lead ministries but operate as part of the Government accountable to Parliament.

Question 25Finland: parliamentary government, rights and participation

Why is the national budget process politically important in the Eduskunta?

  1. Because budgets never require parliamentary approval
  2. Because only the EU Parliament adopts Finland's national budget
  3. Because courts invent tax rates each week
  4. Because Parliament authorises public revenue and expenditure, shaping policy priorities and government accountability Correct answer.

Explanation

The state budget is a core parliamentary power: it allocates resources to policies, constrains the executive, and is a central arena of political conflict and compromise.

Question 26Finland: parliamentary government, rights and participation

What best describes Aland's status in the Finnish constitutional order?

  1. An ordinary municipality with no special status
  2. An autonomous demilitarised region with guaranteed Swedish language and self-government arrangements Correct answer.
  3. An independent UN member state separate from Finland
  4. A French overseas department

Explanation

Aland is an autonomous region of Finland with constitutionally and internationally anchored self-government, Swedish as the official language of the region, and a demilitarised status--while remaining part of Finland.

Question 27Finland: parliamentary government, rights and participation

In open-list PR as used in Finland, what does a voter's candidate choice mainly influence?

  1. Both the party's electoral support and the personal ranking that helps determine which candidates of that party win seats Correct answer.
  2. Only the party's total vote, with no effect on which candidates win
  3. Only the candidate's personal wealth, not party support or ranking
  4. Only the voter's party membership registration, not the election result

Explanation

Finnish open lists mean personal votes matter: they contribute to the party's total and reorder candidates within the list, affecting who obtains the party's seats.

Question 28Finland: parliamentary government, rights and participation

What is a realistic constraint on presidential power in contemporary Finland?

  1. The President may abolish Parliament permanently by decree alone
  2. The President personally sets municipal income tax rates nationwide each month
  3. Major domestic policy depends on parliamentary legislation and a government with confidence; presidential powers are specified and limited Correct answer.
  4. The President is free to ignore election results indefinitely

Explanation

Constitutional text and political practice limit the President: laws require parliamentary processes, the government needs confidence, and presidential acts follow defined procedures.

Question 29Finland: parliamentary government, rights and participation

How should a social-studies candidate analyse a vote of no confidence scenario?

  1. As a judicial criminal conviction only
  2. As an automatic EU exit
  3. As a municipal zoning appeal
  4. As a parliamentary instrument testing whether the government still enjoys the Eduskunta's support Correct answer.

Explanation

Interpellations and confidence votes are tools of parliamentary control. If the government loses confidence, political consequences can include resignation and government reformation.

Question 30Finland: parliamentary government, rights and participation

What is a careful way to describe the relationship between politics and public administration in Finland?

  1. Civil servants may ignore all statutes if parties campaign
  2. Democratic institutions set policy directions; professional administration implements law under legality and equality principles Correct answer.
  3. Administration invents criminal penalties without Parliament
  4. Parties staff every hospital nursing shift directly

Explanation

Politics decides goals and legislation; public administration executes law impartially. Legality, transparency, and equal treatment are core civic expectations in the Nordic administrative tradition.

Question 31Finland: parliamentary government, rights and participation

Why might electoral district magnitude matter for representation in a PR system like Finland's?

  1. Larger districts generally make proportionality easier and can help smaller parties; small districts can raise effective thresholds Correct answer.
  2. It has no theoretical effect ever
  3. It changes only the geographic shape of districts, never proportionality
  4. It forces a two-party system always

Explanation

In PR, how many seats a district elects (magnitude) shapes how proportionally votes translate into seats. Small magnitudes can make it harder for small parties to win seats even without a formal threshold.

Question 32Common economics: scarcity, markets, indicators, policy and trade

What does gross domestic product (GDP) mainly measure?

  1. The happiness of every individual by survey only
  2. The market value of final goods and services produced in an economy over a period Correct answer.
  3. The number of political parties
  4. The average temperature

Explanation

GDP summarises economic activity as the value of final production within a country's borders over a time period. It is a core macro indicator, though not a complete measure of welfare.

Question 33Common economics: scarcity, markets, indicators, policy and trade

What is inflation?

  1. A sustained rise in the general price level Correct answer.
  2. A one-day stock rally only
  3. A fall in unemployment that always raises GDP forever
  4. The printing of school textbooks

Explanation

Inflation means the overall price level is rising, reducing purchasing power of money if incomes do not keep pace. It is measured with price indices such as consumer price indices.

Question 34Common economics: scarcity, markets, indicators, policy and trade

What is a progressive income tax?

  1. A tax rate that falls as taxable income rises
  2. A tax paid only by municipalities to the EU
  3. A tax on voting
  4. A tax structure where higher taxable incomes face higher average or marginal rates under the schedule Correct answer.

Explanation

Progressive taxation means the tax burden rises with ability to pay as defined in the rate schedule--higher income brackets face higher rates--often used to fund welfare-state services and redistribute.

Question 35Common economics: scarcity, markets, indicators, policy and trade

What is unemployment in standard labour-market statistics?

  1. Anyone who is on holiday
  2. All students always
  3. People without work who are available for work and actively seeking work, as defined in labour-force surveys Correct answer.
  4. All pensioners always

Explanation

Unemployment counts people in the labour force who lack a job, are available, and are seeking work (definitions follow statistical conventions). It differs from inactivity.

Question 36Common economics: scarcity, markets, indicators, policy and trade

What is a public good in economic theory (classic features)?

  1. A good that is rival and excludable like a private sandwich
  2. A good that is non-rival and non-excludable, making pure private provision difficult Correct answer.
  3. Any good sold in a shop
  4. A good only foreigners may use

Explanation

Pure public goods are non-rival (one person's use does not reduce another's) and non-excludable (hard to prevent free-riding). National defence is a textbook example.

Question 37Common economics: scarcity, markets, indicators, policy and trade

What is the primary mandate commonly associated with euro-area monetary policy conducted via the ECB?

  1. Maintaining price stability (with other objectives framed around that mandate) Correct answer.
  2. Setting each member state's income tax rates
  3. Writing school curricula for history
  4. Appointing all national MPs

Explanation

The European Central Bank's primary objective is price stability for the euro area. National fiscal policy remains largely with member states within EU rules.

Question 38Common economics: scarcity, markets, indicators, policy and trade

What is opportunity cost?

  1. The monetary cost only when you pay cash
  2. A cost that never exists in economics
  3. The cost of printing ballots only
  4. The value of the next-best alternative forgone when a choice is made Correct answer.

Explanation

Opportunity cost highlights trade-offs: choosing one option means giving up another. It is central to rational choice and policy analysis.

Question 39Common economics: scarcity, markets, indicators, policy and trade

What is fiscal policy?

  1. Central-bank interest-rate setting only
  2. Government decisions on taxation and public spending Correct answer.
  3. Private firms' marketing budgets only
  4. Government foreign-exchange rate targeting

Explanation

Fiscal policy uses the public budget--taxes, transfers, and public expenditure--to influence economic activity, distribution, and public services. In Finland it is shaped by government and Parliament.

Question 40Common economics: scarcity, markets, indicators, policy and trade

Why can externalities justify public policy?

  1. Because markets never exist
  2. Because all prices are illegal
  3. Because private decisions can impose costs or benefits on others not reflected in market prices Correct answer.
  4. Because GDP cannot be calculated in principle

Explanation

Negative externalities (e.g., pollution) and positive externalities (e.g., research spillovers) mean market outcomes may be inefficient. Taxes, regulation, subsidies, or property rights can improve outcomes.

Question 41Common economics: scarcity, markets, indicators, policy and trade

What is a budget deficit?

  1. When government expenditure exceeds revenue in a period Correct answer.
  2. When government revenue exceeds expenditure in a period
  3. When unemployment is exactly zero
  4. When inflation is exactly zero

Explanation

A deficit means spending is higher than revenue over the period, often financed by borrowing. A surplus is the opposite. Deficits and debt are related but not identical concepts.

Question 42Common economics: scarcity, markets, indicators, policy and trade

How does a Nordic-style welfare state typically combine markets and public provision?

  1. By banning all private enterprise
  2. By abolishing schools and hospitals
  3. By making all prices illegal
  4. By using market production widely while funding extensive public services and social insurance through taxation Correct answer.

Explanation

Nordic models generally combine open market economies with high employment, organised labour markets, and tax-financed education, health, and social protection.

Question 43Common economics: scarcity, markets, indicators, policy and trade

What is comparative advantage?

  1. Being better at nothing
  2. Being able to produce a good at lower opportunity cost than a trading partner, supporting gains from specialisation and trade Correct answer.
  3. A military alliance only
  4. A type of municipal tax

Explanation

Even if one country is more productive in all goods (absolute advantage), both can gain if each specialises according to comparative (opportunity-cost) advantage and trades.

Question 44Common economics: scarcity, markets, indicators, policy and trade

What does a rise in interest rates typically aim to do in a high-inflation environment (other things equal)?

  1. Always increase inflation immediately by design
  2. Set the national minimum wage automatically
  3. Cool demand by making borrowing more expensive and saving more attractive Correct answer.
  4. Elect a new parliament

Explanation

Tighter monetary policy raises the cost of credit and can reduce spending and investment pressures, helping bring inflation down--with lags and side effects on growth and employment.

Question 45Common economics: scarcity, markets, indicators, policy and trade

What is labour productivity?

  1. Output produced per unit of labour input (e.g., per hour worked) Correct answer.
  2. Hours spent on social media only
  3. The number of trade unions
  4. The share of seats in Parliament

Explanation

Productivity measures how much output workers produce per input unit. Long-run living standards closely track productivity growth.

Question 46Common economics: scarcity, markets, indicators, policy and trade

What is a key difference between monetary and fiscal policy?

  1. There is no difference; the terms are synonyms
  2. Fiscal policy is only set by private banks' marketing departments
  3. Monetary policy is voted weekly in every municipal council
  4. Monetary policy works mainly via interest rates/credit conditions (euro area: ECB); fiscal policy via taxes and public spending (national budgets) Correct answer.

Explanation

Students should separate ECB-led euro monetary policy from national fiscal choices made by governments and parliaments, while noting EU fiscal rules and coordination.

Question 47Common economics: scarcity, markets, indicators, policy and trade

Why might governments provide or heavily fund education?

  1. Because education has no economic effects
  2. Because education can have positive externalities and equal-opportunity goals beyond pure private market provision Correct answer.
  3. Because textbooks are free to produce with zero cost
  4. Because GDP definitions forbid private schools always

Explanation

Education can raise productivity and civic capacity, with social returns and equity arguments supporting public funding alongside or instead of pure market provision.

Question 48Common economics: scarcity, markets, indicators, policy and trade

What is globalisation in economic terms?

  1. Complete isolation of all economies
  2. A single global parliament that replaces all states
  3. Increasing cross-border flows of goods, services, capital, people, and ideas Correct answer.
  4. The end of all trade statistics

Explanation

Globalisation describes deepening international economic integration--trade, investment, migration, and information--creating opportunities and distributional/regulatory challenges for states.

Question 49Common economics: scarcity, markets, indicators, policy and trade

What is a regressive effect of a tax or charge often criticised in public debate?

  1. Lower-income people bear a heavier burden relative to their income than higher-income people Correct answer.
  2. Higher-income people pay a larger share of income than lower-income people
  3. Everyone pays exactly the same share of income by definition always
  4. Taxes disappear

Explanation

Regressivity means the burden falls disproportionately on lower incomes as a share of income--sometimes argued for certain flat consumption taxes without offsets.

Question 50Common economics: scarcity, markets, indicators, policy and trade

In a simple supply-demand diagram, what does an increase in demand (shift right), other things equal, tend to do?

  1. Lower equilibrium price and quantity always
  2. Raise equilibrium price and quantity Correct answer.
  3. Eliminate the market entirely
  4. Force GDP to zero

Explanation

A rightward demand shift typically increases both equilibrium price and quantity when supply slopes upward--useful for reading media charts in exam materials.