France is launching a new ‘civic examination’ to test the knowledge of people who want to live in the nation.
New rules state that from the beginning of next year, anyone who wants a multi-year residency permit, will have to pass a stringent test to prove they have enough historical, cultural and political knowledge of France.
The government said the exams aim to ‘control immigration’, with proponents claiming it will ensure anyone who wants to live in France has the knowledge needed to properly integrate with the rest of society.
But critics claim the questions are designed to stop people from enjoying residency.
The 40-question multiple choice exam – taken, of course, in French – will cover major themes.
These include: principles and values of the Republic; institutional and political system; rights and duties; history, geography and culture; French society.
Many are straight forward. Hopeful applicants will have to know that the country’s national motto is ‘Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité’, and that the Eiffel Tower is located in Paris.
But some are more philosophical. Those taking the exam will have to answer headscratchers including: Why must the principle of secularism be respected in schools? What is equality? What does freedom mean?
The tightened rules come amid a report that suggests that without migration, France’s population would have shrunk.
The National Institute of Demographic Studies found that deaths in the country exceeded births for the first time in at least a century, excluding times of war.
The interior ministry said the country of 68.6million is home to 7.1million legal immigrants, with 343,000 new residency permits being handed out last year.
To pass, applicants will have to get at least 32 questions right. Do you could pass these six sample questions? Scroll down for the answers…
1) What does the date of July 14 represent for France?
2) Which animal is a symbol of France?
3) Who is Marianne?
4) What year did the French revolution begin?
5) Who was Albert Camus?
6) What is the Marseillaise?
