24 practice questions with answers and explanations on the authorities, history, geography and culture of Appenzell Outer Rhodes. The app has all 406 questions on Appenzell Outer Rhodes and Switzerland.
Appenzell Outer Rhodes does not publish an official question bank. Our questions are based on the study material of the canton and the Confederation and cover the topics that are examined.
Tap an answer to see if it is right. Under “Show answer” you find the solution with an explanation and the source.
Correct answer: A – The constitution names no capital; government and parliament sit in Herisau
The cantonal constitution does not designate a capital. The government, cantonal parliament and cantonal police are based in Herisau, the High Court in Trogen. Appenzell is the capital of the neighbouring canton of Appenzell Inner Rhodes.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: D – Kantonsrat with 65 members
The parliament is called the Kantonsrat and has 65 members; this also applies under the new 2027 constitution. Members are elected for four years. Every municipality is entitled to at least one seat.
Source: ar.clex.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: A – The municipalities
For the Kantonsrat election, each municipality forms an electoral district. Seats are allocated to municipalities according to population, each receiving at least one seat. Many municipalities use majority voting, which favours many independent members.
Source: ar.clex.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – 5 full-time
Since 2015 the government has consisted of five full-time members. They are elected by the people by majority vote for four years; the whole canton forms one constituency. Re-election is possible at most three times.
Source: ar.clex.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: C – 1513
The undivided Land of Appenzell was admitted to the Confederation in 1513 as the 13th member. At that time Outer and Inner Rhodes did not yet exist as separate cantons. The division took place in 1597.
Source: ai.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: A – It split into Reformed Outer Rhodes and Catholic Inner Rhodes
After the Reformation, the outer Rhodes adopted the new faith and separated in 1597 from the inner Rhodes, which remained Catholic (the land division). Since then there have been Appenzell Outer Rhodes and Appenzell Inner Rhodes. Each has one seat in the Council of States.
Source: ai.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: C – 1997
In 1997 the Landsgemeinde was abolished in a ballot vote; in 1998 the government was elected at the ballot box for the first time. Since then voters decide at the ballot box. Inner Rhodes and Glarus still have a Landsgemeinde today.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: C – Trogen and Hundwil
The Landsgemeinde took place on the last Sunday in April, in even years in Trogen and in odd years in Hundwil. Votes were taken by a show of hands. Men traditionally used a sword (side arm) as proof of their right to vote.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – 20
Appenzell Outer Rhodes has consisted of 20 municipalities since the 18th century. The largest is Herisau. The municipalities are autonomous and regulate their organisation in a municipal code.
Source: agvchapp.bfs.admin.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – Hinterland, Mittelland, Vorderland
In 1858 the canton was divided into the three districts of Hinterland, Mittelland and Vorderland. The district administrations were abolished in 1995. The three regions, however, are still commonly used in everyday life, for example for clubs and events.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – About 55,000
Appenzell Outer Rhodes has just over 55,000 inhabitants. The population peak was already reached in 1910, when the textile industry was flourishing. Inner Rhodes has considerably fewer inhabitants.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: C – Only St. Gallen and Appenzell Inner Rhodes
Appenzell Outer Rhodes borders only Appenzell Inner Rhodes and St. Gallen. Both Appenzells are completely surrounded by the canton of St. Gallen. Outer Rhodes has no border with a foreign country.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – Evangelical Reformed
Since the land division of 1597, Outer Rhodes has been shaped by the Evangelical Reformed faith. Reformed members belong to the Evangelical Reformed Church of both Appenzells. Today a large part of the population has no religious affiliation or belongs to other religions.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: C – “Free healing practice”, i.e. the admission of natural healers
As early as 1871 the Landsgemeinde approved 'free healing practice' for everyone. The cantonal constitution still guarantees it today, under the supervision of the canton. That is why many natural health practitioners have their practice in Outer Rhodes.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: A – The Pestalozzi Children's Village
After the Second World War, the Pestalozzi Children's Village for war orphans was founded in Trogen in 1946. Today the Pestalozzi Children's Foundation works for education and intercultural exchange. Trogen is also the seat of the Outer Rhodes High Court.
Source: gsk.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: A – The cantonal civics test
After an initial interview, applicants register for the civics test, which takes place at the Citizenship and Civil Status Department in Trogen. Only after passing it can the application be submitted. Test dates are published on ar.ch.
Source: ar.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – 3 years
At cantonal level, Outer Rhodes requires three years of continuous residence in the same municipality. In addition, 10 years of residence in Switzerland and a C permit are required. If you move to another municipality during the procedure, the procedure lapses.
Source: ar.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – B1 spoken and written
A language certificate (e.g. telc, Goethe or fide) for B1 spoken and written is required. Exempt are native German speakers, people with at least five years of compulsory schooling in Switzerland or with completed vocational training in Switzerland. In addition, applicants must not have received social assistance in the last five years.
Source: ar.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: D – At the Office of Internal Affairs, Citizenship and Civil Status Department, in Trogen
The civics test is taken at the Office of Internal Affairs, Citizenship and Civil Status Department, at the Landsgemeindeplatz in Trogen. The naturalisation application is then submitted there too. For preparation, the canton refers among other things to the brochure 'ECHO – Information about Switzerland'.
Source: ar.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: A – The textile industry
From the 16th century, large textile trading houses emerged in several Outer Rhodes municipalities. During the crisis years 1920 to 1939 the textile industry declined sharply. Stately merchants' houses, for example on the Landsgemeindeplatz in Trogen, still bear witness to this.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: A – An upright black bear with the letters V and R
The coat of arms shows an upright black bear on a white background, accompanied by the letters V and R for 'Usser Rhoden' (Outer Rhodes). The bear goes back to the old Appenzell coat of arms. Inner Rhodes uses the bear without letters.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – On 31 December and 13 January (Old New Year's Eve)
Depending on the village, Silvesterchlausen is celebrated on 31 December and on 13 January, the 'Old New Year's Eve' according to the Julian calendar. It is particularly well known in Urnäsch. The Chläuse go from farm to farm with bells and sing Zäuerli (wordless yodels).
Source: brauchwiki.de · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: C – The Beautiful, the Ugly and the Beautiful-Ugly
One distinguishes the 'Schöne' (beautiful) with elaborately decorated headdresses, the 'Wüeschte' (ugly) with costumes made of natural materials such as fir branches and moss, and the 'Schö-Wüeschte' as a mixed form. The costumes are made with a great deal of handwork. Chlausen is an important part of Outer Rhodes identity.
Source: brauchwiki.de · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: C – A procession in which a decorated tree trunk is pulled through the village
At the Bloch, a team in traditional costume pulls a large tree trunk on a cart through the villages, accompanied by figures such as the blacksmith, the hunter and the bear. In the evening the trunk is auctioned. The custom takes place in Urnäsch and Herisau, among other places; in some villages boys pull the Bloch.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
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