1. When was the European Economic Community (EEC) established?
a) 1945
b) 1951
c) 1957
d) 1965
Answer: c) 1957
Explanation: The EEC was established by the Treaty of Rome in 1957, which was signed by six founding members: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.
2. What was the primary goal of the European Economic Community (EEC)?
a) Political integration
b) Economic cooperation and integration
c) Military cooperation
d) Cultural exchange
Answer: b) Economic cooperation and integration
Explanation: The main goal of the EEC was to create a common market and foster economic cooperation between the member states to increase trade and improve economic stability.
3. Which treaty led to the creation of the European Union (EU)?
a) Treaty of Maastricht
b) Treaty of Rome
c) Treaty of Lisbon
d) Treaty of Amsterdam
Answer: a) Treaty of Maastricht
Explanation: The Treaty of Maastricht, signed in 1992, led to the creation of the European Union and expanded the EEC into a more comprehensive political and economic union, introducing the euro and other reforms.
4. Which of the following was not a founding member of the European Economic Community (EEC)?
a) Germany
b) Spain
c) Italy
d) France
Answer: b) Spain
Explanation: Spain was not a founding member of the EEC. The original six members were Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.
5. What major change did the Maastricht Treaty introduce?
a) Established the European Central Bank
b) Created the European Union (EU)
c) Established the European Parliament
d) Introduced a common defense policy
Answer: b) Created the European Union (EU)
Explanation: The Maastricht Treaty, signed in 1992, officially created the European Union (EU) and expanded the scope of cooperation between European countries beyond economic integration.
6. Which country was the first to adopt the euro as its currency?
a) Germany
b) France
c) Spain
d) Greece
Answer: a) Germany
Explanation: Germany, along with 11 other EU countries, adopted the euro as its official currency on January 1, 2002, as part of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU).
7. Which European institution was created as a result of the Treaty of Rome?
a) European Parliament
b) European Economic and Social Committee
c) European Central Bank
d) European Commission
Answer: b) European Economic and Social Committee
Explanation: The Treaty of Rome, signed in 1957, led to the establishment of the European Economic and Social Committee, an advisory body representing workers, employers, and other interest groups.
8. What was the key economic aim of the Single European Act of 1986?
a) Create a political union
b) Establish a common currency
c) Complete the internal market
d) Expand the EU to Eastern Europe
Answer: c) Complete the internal market
Explanation: The Single European Act, signed in 1986, aimed to complete the internal market of the EEC by removing barriers to the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people.
9. Which country joined the European Union in 1973 along with Denmark and Ireland?
a) Portugal
b) United Kingdom
c) Spain
d) Austria
Answer: b) United Kingdom
Explanation: The United Kingdom, Denmark, and Ireland joined the EEC (the predecessor of the EU) in 1973, expanding the membership of the organization.
10. The Schengen Area, which allows for passport-free travel, was established in which year?
a) 1985
b) 1992
c) 1999
d) 2004
Answer: a) 1985
Explanation: The Schengen Agreement, signed in 1985, allowed for the removal of border controls between certain European countries, leading to the establishment of the Schengen Area in 1995.
11. Which of the following is not part of the European Union’s primary decision-making bodies?
a) European Commission
b) European Parliament
c) European Court of Justice
d) United Nations Assembly
Answer: d) United Nations Assembly
Explanation: The United Nations Assembly is not part of the EU. The EU’s decision-making bodies are the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the European Court of Justice.
12. Which country held a referendum in 2016, leading to its exit from the EU?
a) France
b) Netherlands
c) Italy
d) United Kingdom
Answer: d) United Kingdom
Explanation: In 2016, the United Kingdom held the “Brexit” referendum, where a majority voted to leave the European Union, a process known as Brexit.
13. Which European Union treaty established the framework for economic and monetary union, including the creation of the euro?
a) Treaty of Maastricht
b) Treaty of Lisbon
c) Treaty of Rome
d) Treaty of Amsterdam
Answer: a) Treaty of Maastricht
Explanation: The Treaty of Maastricht, signed in 1992, established the framework for economic and monetary union, including the introduction of a single currency, the euro.
14. Which institution has the authority to propose new laws in the European Union?
a) European Commission
b) European Council
c) European Parliament
d) European Court of Justice
Answer: a) European Commission
Explanation: The European Commission has the sole right to propose new legislation in the EU. It acts as the executive body of the Union and ensures that EU laws are implemented.
15. Which EU institution is directly elected by the citizens of the member states?
a) European Commission
b) European Parliament
c) European Central Bank
d) European Court of Justice
Answer: b) European Parliament
Explanation: The European Parliament is the only directly elected body of the European Union. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are elected by EU citizens every five years.
16. Which of the following treaties laid the foundation for the creation of the European Union in 1993?
a) Treaty of Amsterdam
b) Treaty of Lisbon
c) Treaty of Maastricht
d) Treaty of Rome
Answer: c) Treaty of Maastricht
Explanation: The Treaty of Maastricht, signed in 1992 and implemented in 1993, formally created the European Union by expanding the powers of the EEC and incorporating new areas of cooperation.
17. The term ‘European Monetary Union’ (EMU) refers to:
a) A political integration of European countries
b) The introduction of the euro
c) The formation of NATO
d) The creation of the European Parliament
Answer: b) The introduction of the euro
Explanation: The European Monetary Union (EMU) refers to the system that resulted in the introduction of the euro as a common currency and the coordination of monetary policies across EU countries.
18. Which EU member country was the first to join the eurozone in 2002?
a) Portugal
b) Greece
c) France
d) Germany
Answer: d) Germany
Explanation: Germany was one of the original countries that adopted the euro in 2002, along with 11 other EU member states.
19. Which country was part of the EEC before joining the EU in 1995 but later opted out of the eurozone?
a) Finland
b) Norway
c) Sweden
d) Austria
Answer: c) Sweden
Explanation: Sweden joined the EU in 1995 but opted out of adopting the euro, choosing to keep its own currency, the Swedish Krona.
20. Which of the following is a key aim of European economic integration?
a) Eliminate national sovereignty
b) Create a military alliance
c) Promote free movement of people, goods, and services
d) Develop a common foreign policy
Answer: c) Promote free movement of people, goods, and services
Explanation: A key aim of European economic integration is the creation of a single market that allows for the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital among EU member states.
These MCQs cover a broad range of topics related to the European Economic Integration process, from the formation of the EEC to the expansion of the EU, along with key treaties and institutional frameworks.
