Knowledge of Dutch culture

Question 1

De Randstad

Answer 1

De Randstad is een stedelijk gebied in West-Nederland met Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Den Haag en Utrecht, het economische en politieke hart van het land.

Question 2

Het Nederlandse schoolsysteem

Answer 2

The Dutch school system is divided into several stages:

1. Basisonderwijs (Primary Education): Ages 4-12, with eight grades (group 1-8).
2. Voortgezet onderwijs (Secondary Education): Starts at age 12, with three main tracks:
   —VMBO: Prepares for vocational education (4 years).
   —HAVO: Prepares for higher professional education (5 years).
   —VWO: Prepares for university (6 years).
3. MBO: Vocational education after VMBO.
4. HBO: Higher professional education after HAVO or MBO.
5. WO: University education after VWO.

Students are tracked based on academic ability, and education is compulsory from ages 5 to 16.

Question 3

de Nederlandse koning

Answer 3

he King of the Netherlands, currently King Willem-Alexander, has a mainly ceremonial role. His key duties include:

Representing the country at home and abroad.
Signing laws and royal decrees.
Appointing the prime minister and other officials.
Being involved in the formation of the government after elections.
Acting as a symbolic unifier of the nation.
The King has limited political power, as the Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy, meaning most political decisions are made by elected officials.

Question 4

Nederlandse provincies

Answer 4

The Netherlands is divided into 12 provinces:

Drenthe
Flevoland
Friesland (Fryslân in Frisian)
Gelderland
Groningen
Limburg
Noord-Brabant
Noord-Holland
Overijssel
Utrecht
Zeeland
Zuid-Holland