Q 01/05

Which Southeast Asian country's king is elected to a five-year term by and from nine hereditary state rulers?

A) Thailand

B) Brunei

C) Malaysia

D) Indonesia

Answer · why

C) Malaysia

Malaysia in effect rotates its throne, with the nine Malay rulers taking turns as Yang di-Pertuan Agong. That makes it one of the world's few elective...

Q 02/05

Which tiny European country has two princes as heads of state: the president of France and a Spanish bishop?

A) Andorra

B) Monaco

C) San Marino

D) Malta

Answer · why

A) Andorra

Andorra has shared its throne this way since a treaty of 1278, so whoever wins France's presidency becomes a prince for the length of the term.

Q 03/05

Which country's King Baudouin stepped aside for a day in 1990 so an abortion law could pass without his signature?

A) Spain

B) Denmark

C) Portugal

D) Belgium

Answer · why

D) Belgium

Belgium's ministers declared the devoutly Catholic king unable to reign, signed the law themselves, and had parliament restore him the next day.

Q 04/05

Which country has the world's only reigning emperor, defined by its constitution as the symbol of the state?

A) Thailand

B) Japan

C) Brunei

D) Oman

Answer · why

B) Japan

Japan's emperor has no powers of government at all, not even nominal ones. The postwar constitution says he derives his position from the will of the ...

Q 05/05

Which document did rebel barons force King John to seal at Runnymede in 1215, limiting the English crown's power?

A) Magna Carta

B) Domesday Book

C) Provisions of Oxford

D) Statute of Westminster

Answer · why

A) Magna Carta

Magna Carta was annulled by Pope Innocent III soon after it was sealed, which set off the First Barons' War. Later kings reissued it, and it became th...