Topic 1, Introduction to the EU

Question 1

1. The European Union has gradually gone through the following forms of integration:

a) Customs Union, Common Market and Political Union
b) Customs Union, Single Market and Banking Union
c) Customs Union, Common Market and Economic and Monetary Union
d) Free Trade Area, Common Market and Economic and Monetary Union

Answer 1

c) Customs Union, Common Market and Economic and Monetary Union

Question 2

2. One of the main treaties that have framed the building of the EU is:

a) The Single European Act, which created the Single Market.
b) The Treaty of Paris, which led to the creation of the Monetary Union
c) The Treaty on the European Union (Maastricht), that led to the Customs Union
d) The Treaty of Rome, which led to the creation of a Free Trade Area

Answer 2

a) The Single European Act, which created the Single Market.

Question 3

3. One of the aims of the Maastricht Treaty was:

a) To complete the four freedoms (free movement of goods, services, people and capitals)
b) To expand the EU to all Europe
c) To set up a European capital
d) To introduce a single currency for EU

Answer 3

d) To introduce a single currency for EU

Question 4

4. Which of the following is NOT CORRECT regarding the process of creating the European Union (EU)

a) The European Economic Community (EEC) was established by the Treaty of Rome in 1957
b) The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) consisted of the same 6 nations that later formed the European Economic Community (EEC)
c) The customs union was completed ahead of the schedule that was agreed for it in the Treaty of Rome.
d) The EFTA (European Free Trade Association) was set up in response to the European Steel and Coal Community (ECSC)

Answer 4

d) The EFTA (European Free Trade Association) was set up in response to the European Steel and Coal Community (ECSC)

Question 5

5. Regarding the enlargement of the EU

a) The first enlargement took place in 1973 when Greece joined the group
b) Norway, Sweden and Finland became members in 1995
c) Former Yugoslavian Republics are expected to join the EU in 2022
d) The biggest enlargement (based on the number of countries involved) took place in 2004 when 10 new countries became members
e) No new members were accepted in the first years as the main concern was to focus in the creation of a customs union

Answer 5

d) The biggest enlargement (based on the number of countries involved) took place in 2004 when 10 new countries became members

Question 6

6. In the building of the EU:

a) The period 1957-1973 was of stagnation in the process of economic integration parallel to the international economic crisis triggered by the oil crisis and the breakdown of the system of fixed exchange rates
b) Evidence proves that integration deepens in the contraction phase (crisis) of the economic cycle
c) The period 1985-1992 saw the relaunching of both the integration process (the signing of the Single European Act and the Maastricht Treaty) and the enlargement (Spain, Portugal and German reunification)
d) All the other answers are correct

Answer 6

c) The period 1985-1992 saw the relaunching of both the integration process (the signing of the Single European Act and the Maastricht Treaty) and the enlargement (Spain, Portugal and German reunification)

Question 7

7. Among the reasons which prompted/favoured the creation of the European Economic Community (EEC) which one is correct?

a) The successful operation of the European Coal and Steel Community
b) The American aid after World War II
c) The need to avoid a new confrontation between France and Germany
d) All of the others are correct

Answer 7

d) All of the others are correct

Question 8

8. As for the main EU institutions:

a) They follow the traditional division of powers established by Montesquieu
b) Their standard voting system is based on a simple majority
c) They are the Commission, the Council of the EU and the Court of Auditors
d) None of the others is correct
e) Their very existence illustrates the pooling of sovereignty between Member States

Answer 8

d) None of the others is correct

Question 9

9. When referring to the main EU institutions, we can say that:

a) The subsequent European treaties have progressively extended the legislative powers of the Parliament so, currently, it is the only institution responsible for the legislative function
b) The Commission represents the interest of the EU as a whole, and participates in the executive power, the legislative power and the judiciary.
c) The Council of the EU is elected by the European Parliament
d) The European Council represents the interests of Member States, is responsible for the executive function and, additionally, participates in the legislative power.

Answer 9

b) The Commission represents the interest of the EU as a whole, and participates in the executive power, the legislative power and the judiciary.

Question 10

10. Under the so-called “Ordinary Legislative Procedure” (codecision) for EU law making, new laws are proposed by the ________ and must receive the approval of both the __________________ and the _____________.

a) European Parliament, European Commission, Council of the EU
b) Council of the EU, European Commission, European Parliament
c) European Commission, Council of the EU, European Parliament
d) European Commission, European Council, European Parliament

Answer 10

c) European Commission, Council of the EU, European Parliament