Sample questions: Sweden and the world
Nordic cooperation, the EU, the UN, the Council of Europe, defence and security policy.
Sweden cooperates with Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway through the Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers. Sweden has been a member of the EU since 1995. EU cooperation began after the Second World War to create peace and stability, and the four freedoms mean people and goods can move freely between the countries. Sweden is also a member of the Council of Europe, founded in 1949, where the European Court of Human Rights sits. Sweden is a member of the UN, founded in 1945. Sida works to reduce poverty and oppression in the world. Sweden last fought a war in the early 19th century and lost Finland in 1809. After Russia's attack on Ukraine in 2022 Sweden applied for NATO membership and joined in 2024. Total defence duty applies to everyone living in Sweden aged 16 to 70, and general conscription covers all men and women who have turned 18.
The questions below are written by Medborgarklar for practice. They are not taken from a real test, they are not published by UHR, and we do not claim they have appeared in a sitting.
8 questions with answers and explanations
What do the EU's four freedoms mean for an EU citizen?
- AYou may vote in every EU country's national election
- BYou are exempt from tax in other EU countries
- CYou can study, move, work and sell goods freely between member states
- DYou automatically get citizenship in all EU countries
Correct answer: C. You can study, move, work and sell goods freely between member states
Why: EU cooperation means that people can study, move, work and sell goods freely between the countries. This is called the four freedoms, and means for example that any EU citizen can work or study in another EU country.
What does Sweden's total defence comprise?
- AOnly the police
- BOnly NATO forces in Sweden
- COnly the army
- DBoth the military defence and the civil defence
Correct answer: D. Both the military defence and the civil defence
Why: Sweden's total defence comprises both the military defence and the civil defence. The military defence consists of the Armed Forces: the army, the navy and the air force. Civil defence ensures that schools, work and health care can keep functioning in a crisis or war.
In which year did Sweden become a member of the EU?
- A2024
- B1991
- C2003
- D1995
Correct answer: D. 1995
Why: Sweden has been a member of the EU since 1995.
In which year did Sweden become a member of NATO?
- A1995
- B2024
- C2022
- D1949
Correct answer: B. 2024
Why: When Russia attacked Ukraine in 2022, concern for security in the Nordic region grew. Sweden and Finland then applied for NATO membership, and Sweden became a member in 2024.
What is meant by the EU's four freedoms?
- AThat the EU has four official languages
- BThat four countries govern the EU
- CThat everyone may vote four times
- DThat people and goods can move freely between member states, for example to study, work and sell goods
Correct answer: D. That people and goods can move freely between member states, for example to study, work and sell goods
Why: The cooperation means people can study, move, work and sell goods freely between the countries. This is called the four freedoms.
What is the Council of Europe?
- AThe EU's highest decision-making body
- BA European organisation founded in 1949 working for human rights, democracy and the rule of law
- CThe Nordic countries' cooperation body
- DA part of the UN
Correct answer: B. A European organisation founded in 1949 working for human rights, democracy and the rule of law
Why: Sweden is a member of the Council of Europe, a European organisation founded in 1949 working for human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The European Court of Human Rights sits there.
Through which bodies do the Nordic countries cooperate?
- AThe Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers
- BThe European Commission and the European Parliament
- CThe Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights
- DNATO and the UN
Correct answer: A. The Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers
Why: Sweden cooperates with Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway mainly through the Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers.
What is Sida's task?
- ATo manage Sweden's defence
- BTo decide on residence permits
- CTo work to reduce poverty and oppression in the world
- DTo negotiate wages
Correct answer: C. To work to reduce poverty and oppression in the world
Why: The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) is a state agency working to reduce poverty and oppression in the world. Through Sida, Sweden supports other countries with democracy, gender equality and sustainable development.