Question 13
If someone hits a child in Germany, …
German original: Wenn man in Deutschland ein Kind schlägt, …. In the test, all questions are asked in German.
Answer options
- it is nobody's business.
- it is only the family's business.
- one cannot be punished for it.
- one can be punished for it. — Correct answer
Explanation
In Germany, physical punishment of children is prohibited. Section 1631 of the German Civil Code (BGB) establishes the right of children to be raised without violence. Anyone who hits a child can face consequences under criminal law as well as under family law.
Key terms in this question
- Germany — Germany is a country in central Europe with a parliamentary democracy. It is a member of the European Union and its capital is Berlin.
- Federal state — A federal state is one of the 16 regions that together form Germany. Each state has its own government, parliament, and areas of responsibility.
- child — A child is a person from birth until the beginning of adulthood. In legal terms in Germany, a person is considered a child as long as they are under 18 years of age.
- hits / proposes / suggests — 'Schlägt' is the third person singular present tense of the verb 'schlagen'. It means that someone hits something or someone with force, or that someone suggests or proposes something.
- German — German is the official language of Germany, Austria, and part of Switzerland. It is the native language of approximately 100 million people.
- if / when — 'Wenn' is a conjunction that expresses a condition or a point in time. It connects two clauses and indicates that something happens under a certain condition or at a certain moment.
- If / When — 'Wenn' is a conjunction that introduces a condition or a point in time. It connects two clauses and shows that something applies under a certain circumstance.