24 practice questions with answers and explanations on the authorities, history, geography and culture of Appenzell Inner Rhodes. The app has all 418 questions on Appenzell Inner Rhodes and Switzerland.
Appenzell Inner 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: D – The Landsgemeinde
The cantonal constitution states: the highest authority of the land is the Landsgemeinde. It is the assembly of Swiss citizens with voting rights who live in the canton. It is the legislative authority and the highest electoral authority.
Source: ai.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: A – On the last Sunday in April in Appenzell
The Landsgemeinde takes place every year on the last Sunday in April on the Landsgemeinde square in Appenzell. It starts at 12 noon with the ceremonial procession of the government, the cantonal court and guests of honour. Votes and elections then take place in the open air.
Source: ai.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – Only Appenzell Inner Rhodes and Glarus
Inner Rhodes is, along with Glarus, the only canton that still has a Landsgemeinde. Appenzell Outer Rhodes abolished the Landsgemeinde in 1997. In all other cantons votes take place at the ballot box.
Source: ai.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: C – By a show of hands
At the Landsgemeinde, voters vote by a show of hands. The governing Landammann leads the assembly and assesses the majority. Except during elections, every voter may ask to speak.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: A – As the 13th
In 1513 the then undivided Land of Appenzell was admitted to the Confederation as the 13th member. It was the last member of the Old Confederation. Previously the area belonged to the Abbey of St. Gallen.
Source: ai.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – Because of the Reformation: the outer Rhoden became Protestant
After the Reformation, the outer Rhodes adopted the Reformed faith and separated from the inner Rhodes in 1597. Inner Rhodes remained Roman Catholic. Where the border ran depended partly on the denomination of the landowners.
Source: ai.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: C – From the Latin 'rota' (wheel, circle) – a name for old administrative units
When the land still belonged to the Abbey of St. Gallen, it was divided into so-called Rhoden, administrative units. The word derives from the Latin 'rota'. A Rhode also refers to an association of certain families.
Source: ai.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: D – Through a ruling of the Federal Supreme Court on 27 November 1990
The Landsgemeinde had still rejected women's suffrage in April 1990. On 27 November 1990 the Federal Supreme Court ruled that women are also entitled to vote in Inner Rhodes. Inner Rhodes was thus the last canton to have cantonal women's suffrage.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: A – Appenzell
The capital is Appenzell. The Landsgemeinde takes place there, and the Grand Council, the government (Standeskommission) and the cantonal court are based there. Herisau belongs to the neighbouring canton of Outer Rhodes.
Source: ai.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – Bezirke (districts)
What is called a municipality in other cantons is called a Bezirk (district) in Inner Rhodes. The districts were created after 1848 as successors to the former Rhoden. A district is led by the district council (Bezirksrat).
Source: ai.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – 5
Since 1 May 2022 the canton has consisted of five districts: Appenzell, Schwende-Rüte, Schlatt-Haslen, Gonten and Oberegg. At that time the districts of Schwende and Rüte merged. Before, there were six districts.
Source: ai.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: C – Trogen
The five districts are Appenzell, Schwende-Rüte, Schlatt-Haslen, Gonten and Oberegg. Trogen is a municipality in Appenzell Outer Rhodes. The Outer Rhodes High Court is based there.
Source: ai.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: C – It is separated from the rest of the canton and surrounded by AR and SG
The canton consists of an inner part around Appenzell and the outer part, Oberegg. Oberegg lies north-east of Appenzell in the Appenzell Vorderland and is surrounded by Outer Rhodes and St. Gallen. It is itself divided into two areas.
Source: ai.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – A special commune for fire services, water and electricity in the village of Appenzell
The Feuerschaugemeinde is a special municipality that developed in the Middle Ages. Originally it inspected fireplaces; today it is responsible for the fire brigade, water and electricity supply in the village of Appenzell. Its assembly is called the 'Dunke' and takes place in April.
Source: ai.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: C – Kirchhöri
The legislature of the parish is called the Kirchhöri; in the Reformed church it is called the parish assembly. It takes place once a year before Easter. There, for example, the church council is elected and the church tax is set.
Source: ai.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: D – Roman Catholic
Inner Rhodes is historically rural and Roman Catholic. After the land division of 1597, the Counter-Reformation strengthened church values. This can still be seen today in many religious festivals and customs.
Source: ai.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – The Grand Council's Committee for Law and Security
The standing Committee for Law and Security hears applicants on behalf of the Grand Council and checks the requirements. It found that many applicants lacked knowledge of the state system, culture and customs. That is why the canton publishes the guide (Handreichung) for preparation.
Source: ai.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: C – 5 years, the last 2 of them without interruption
Five years of residence in the canton are required, including at least two years immediately and continuously before naturalisation. In addition, 10 years of residence in Switzerland and a C permit are required. The procedure takes about one and a half years.
Source: ai.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – In person at the civil registry office in Appenzell, after submitting a CV
Before the naturalisation secretariat hands out the forms, a CV completed on a computer must be submitted. The application forms and information about the procedure are provided in person at the civil registry office in Appenzell. Incomplete forms are sent back.
Source: ai.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: D – One week after the Landsgemeinde
The district assembly, the legislature of a district, takes place one week after the Landsgemeinde. In Appenzell it is held on the Kronengartenplatz, in Gonten and Schlatt-Haslen in the parish church. Oberegg has no assembly and decides at the ballot box.
Source: ai.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: C – A black bear on a white background
The coat of arms shows an upright black bear on a white background, without letters. Outer Rhodes uses the same bear, with the letters V and R added. The bear comes from the old coat of arms of the undivided Land of Appenzell.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: A – Saint Maurice
The patron saint of the Catholic church of Appenzell and of the canton is Saint Maurice. His feast day, 22 September, is a holiday in the inner part of the canton. A large image of the saint decorates the tower of Appenzell parish church.
Source: ai.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi is celebrated on the second Thursday after Pentecost and is the most splendid church festival in Appenzell Innerrhoden. Many women wear the festive costume in the colourful procession, which attracts many visitors from near and far.
Source: ai.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: C – Two violins, cello, bass and hammered dulcimer
The classic string ensemble consists of two violins, a cello, a bass and a hammered dulcimer (Hackbrett). The music is considered one of the best ambassadors of the two Appenzells. It includes dances such as waltz, polka and the 'Hierig'.
Source: ai.ch · Checked October 2026
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