ANSWERS TO THE EXERCISES

CHAPTER 1 ‘WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION?’

EXERCISE 1 WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE EU?

A map showing all the countries that belong to the EU, along with their flags.
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EXERCISE 3 WHAT DO THE EU’S VALUES AND PRINCIPLES MEAN IN PRACTICE?

A country … (A)
can join the EU 		(B)
can’t join the EU
1. that does not have freedom of the press NO YES
2. that applies the death penalty NO YES
3. that allows its citizens to protest against the government YES NO
4. in which the parliament is elected on a regular basis YES NO
5. in which the army determines policy and may even intervene in internal affairs with military power NO YES
6. in which people are considered innocent until their guilt has been established by a court YES NO
7. in which there is only one party which is always in government NO YES
8. which protects minorities, even when the majority is against them YES NO
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CHAPTER 2 ‘HOW DOES THE EU WORK?’

EXERCISE 7 WHO DOES WHAT IN THE EU?

Who …? European Parliament European Council Council of the European Union European Commission European Court of Justice
1. makes proposals for EU laws NO NO NO YES NO
2. approves EU laws YES NO YES NO NO
3. consists of (only) one representative/member per EU country NO YES YES YES YES
4. is directly elected YES NO NO NO NO
5. manages the budget NO NO NO YES NO
6. represents the interests of the people YES NO NO NO NO
7. represents the interests of EU countries/their governments NO YES YES NO NO
8. represents the interest of the EU as a whole NO NO NO YES NO
9. decides on the interpretation of EU laws NO NO NO NO YES
10. defines the general political direction of the EU NO YES NO NO NO
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EXERCISE 8 LAW-MAKING IN THE EU

The European Commission proposes a law. The European Parliament and the Council of the EU examine, then adopt, amend or reject the proposed law.
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EXERCISE 9 WHO IS WHO?

You now know a lot about the European institutions, but do you know the names and faces of the people leading them? Do you know who is the current:

  1. President of the European Parliament (https://europa.eu/!9dR4kW).
  2. President of the European Council (https://europa.eu/!wW73CM).
  3. President of the European Commission (https://europa.eu/!Xd39kv).
  4. High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission (https://europa.eu/!g9kXjH).
Roberta Metsola President of the European Parliament
Charles Michel President of the European Council
Ursula von der Leyen President of the European Commission
Josep Borrell Fontelles High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission
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CHAPTER 3 ‘HOW IS THE EU RELEVANT TO YOUR DAILY LIFE?’

EXERCISE 12 WHICH COUNTRIES ARE IN THE EURO AREA?

  • EURO
    Austria
  • EURO
    Belgium
  • NO
    Bulgaria
  • NO
    Croatia
  • EURO
    Cyprus
  • NO
    Czechia
  • NO
    Denmark
  • EURO
    Estonia
  • EURO
    Finland
  • EURO
    France
  • EURO
    Germany
  • EURO
    Greece
  • NO
    Hungary
  • EURO
    Ireland
  • EURO
    Italy
  • EURO
    Latvia
  • EURO
    Lithuania
  • EURO
    Luxembourg
  • EURO
    Malta
  • EURO
    Netherlands
  • NO
    Poland
  • EURO
    Portugal
  • NO
    Romania
  • EURO
    Slovakia
  • EURO
    Slovenia
  • EURO
    Spain
  • NO
    Sweden
This EUR 2 coin is from Greece.; It depicts a scene from a mosaic in Sparta (third century AD), showing Europa being abducted by Zeus, who has taken the form of a bull. Europa is a figure from Greek mythology after whom Europe was named.
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EXERCISE 14 WHAT DOES FREE MOVEMENT MEAN FOR YOU IN PRACTICE?

Examples Free movement of people Free movement of goods Free movement of services Free movement of capital
1. I can buy a second-hand car abroad and take it back home without paying customs duties. NO YES NO NO
2. I can travel anywhere I like within the EU. YES NO NO NO
3. I can study in another EU country. YES NO NO NO
4. My parents can have their bathroom renovated by a tiler from another EU country. NO NO YES NO
5. My parents can send money to me, without any extra charges, in the country where I am studying. NO NO NO YES
6. I can work in another EU country. YES NO NO NO
7. I can buy goods online from another EU country without paying customs duties. NO YES NO NO
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EXERCISE 15 EUROPEAN LABELS

EU laws have put strict rules in place for the labelling of food, drinks, cosmetic products and electronic appliances. Some labels help protect consumers, while others let them know about certain characteristics of the product. For example, there are labels to indicate which products are organic or energy efficient. Without proper labelling, a product will not be allowed onto the market.

The CE marking is a safety label, showing that the product complies with EU health, safety and environmental standards.

 

The EU ecolabel is awarded to environmentally friendly products and services. It is a voluntary scheme that was introduced in 1980 by EU law.

 

The EU energy label tells you how energy efficient an appliance is on a scale from A to G. A (green) is the most energy efficient and G (red) is the least energy efficient. A brand new version of this label was introduced on 1 March 2021 for certain product categories (fridges, freezers, dishwashers, washing machines and television sets). Other products will follow in the coming years.

 

The EU organic logo tells you that the product meets EU rules for the organic farming sector. For processed products this means that at least 95 % of the agricultural ingredients are organic.

 

The three EU quality logos indicate characteristics of food products derived from the geographical location in which they are produced or from their traditional composition or production method.

 

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