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Welcome > Fun > Quiz

Do you know your bent bananas from your Brussels bureaucrats? Or have you swallowed one too many spoonfuls of tabloid mythology on the EU?

Why not take our new Euroquiz and find out?

Let's start with a couple of easy ones. First up: How many countries are there in the EU?
15
25
27

And what colours are on the EU flag?
Blue and yellow
Blue and gold
Red, white and blue

Another one about the flag. There are twelve stars on it. Why?
One for each member state in the original EEC
One for each of Christ's apostles
The number twelve symbolises unity and harmony

Now for a few about how EU rules are made. Firstly, which two institutions form the EU's legislature? (Choose exactly two.)
European Parliament
European Commission
Council of the European Union
European Court of Human Rights
European Court of Justice

A former British judge said, "[they] do not take political decisions, but they must sometimes remind politicians of what they have agreed". Which institution was he talking about?
European Court of Justice
European Court of Human Rights
UK House of Commons
European Parliament

Who sits on the Council of the EU?
Ministers from elected governments of all EU member states
Ministers from the governments of the 6 largest member states
Barmy Brussels bureaucrats

The European Commission is the central administrative body for the EU. Roughly how many employees does it have?
Fewer than the average city council
About the same as the UK civil service
More than the US federal government

True or false? The UK has a permanent opt-out on membership of the euro and will never have to join unless it wants to.
True
False

A little more tricky now. The EU's entire budget amounts to what percentage of GDP?
About 40%
About 15%
About 1%

In which of the following areas do we make most of our laws at EU level? (Choose at least one.)
Health
Social security
The environment
Direct taxation
Indirect taxation

What is the EU's smallest member state?
Cyprus
Luxembourg
Malta

True or false? Between 1979 and 1999, the turnout in European Parliament elections fell by far more than the turnout in UK general elections.
True
False

What does an MEP earn?
Less than an MP in his or her own country
The same as an MP in his or her home country
More than an MP in his or her home country

Which of the following costs more per citizen to maintain?
European Parliament
House of Commons

One type of EU law is called a 'Directive'. What does this mean?
That it has been agreed by ministers and enters into force directly across the EU
That ministers have agreed to incorporate it in their own national law
That it has been handed down by the European Commission

The European Parliament has three working places. Where are they? (Choose exactly three.)
Luxembourg
Strasbourg
Frankfurt
Brussels
The Hague

How are MEPs elected?
Proportional representation
First-past-the-post
It varies from country to country

When did the House of Commons first publish a report recommending a switch from imperial to metric measures?
In 1976, after we joined the EEC
In 1972, just before we joined the EEC
In the mid-19th century

Which of the following would happen if the UK joined the euro? (Choose at least one.)
Our tax levels would be set by Brussels
We would no longer be allowed to put the Queen's head on our coins
We would agree common interest rates at the European Central Bank

Which island is not part of the EU?
Isle of Wight
Isle of Mull
Isle of Man

Which of the following, if any, are laid down in European law? (Choose between zero and four.)
Bananas that are too bendy are banned
All cars must drive on the right
Each country must put its clocks forward and back on the same date
MEPs can never be arrested

Which two member states entered the euro on January 1st 2008?
Malta & Cyprus
Denmark & Sweden
Latvia & Lithuania

Who is currently President of the EU?
Tony Blair
José Manuel Barroso
Juan Pablo Montoya
There's no such post

Who pointed out that being in Europe hasn't made the French any less French?
Ted Heath
Jacques Chirac
Margaret Thatcher

Who said, "The EU is the world's most successful peace process"?
John Hume, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize
Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, former President of France
Margot Wallström, Vice-President of the European Commission

 

 
 

© 2003-2007 Richard Corbett MEP