Ethiopia civics quiz: questions and answers
All 15 general civics quiz questions about Ethiopia with answers and explanations, grouped by topic. This is a learning quiz, not an official exam. Select a question to see the answer.
Government and law 5 questions
Ethiopia's capital, currency, federal constitution, two houses of parliament and federal working language.
Practise only: Government and law →
What is the capital of Ethiopia?
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia and also hosts the headquarters of the African Union.
What is the currency of Ethiopia?
Birr
Ethiopia's currency is the birr.
In which year did the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia come into force?
1995
The Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia was adopted in December 1994 and came into force in August 1995.
What are the two houses of Ethiopia’s federal parliament?
House of Peoples' Representatives and House of Federation
Ethiopia's parliament has two houses: the House of Peoples' Representatives and the House of Federation.
Which language does the 1995 constitution name as the working language of the federal government?
Amharic
Article 5 of the constitution makes Amharic the working language of the federal government, while all Ethiopian languages have equal state recognition.
History 5 questions
The Kingdom of Aksum, the Zagwe dynasty and Lalibela, the Battle of Adwa and Emperor Haile Selassie.
At which 1896 battle did Ethiopian forces defeat an Italian army?
Battle of Adwa
At the Battle of Adwa on 1 March 1896, Ethiopia defeated Italy and secured its independence.
Which emperor led Ethiopia to victory at the Battle of Adwa?
Menelik II
Emperor Menelik II, with Empress Taytu, led Ethiopia's forces to victory over Italy at Adwa in 1896.
Who was the last emperor of Ethiopia?
Haile Selassie
Haile Selassie, crowned in 1930, was Ethiopia's last emperor. The monarchy ended in 1974.
Which ancient kingdom in northern Ethiopia is famous for its tall stone stelae (obelisks)?
Aksum
The Kingdom of Aksum flourished in the first millennium AD, and its giant carved stelae are a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Which dynasty is associated with the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela?
Zagwe dynasty
The churches of Lalibela were carved out of rock under King Lalibela of the Zagwe dynasty, around the 12th and 13th centuries.
Geography, culture and symbols 5 questions
Lake Tana and the Blue Nile, the Simien Mountains, the Ethiopian calendar, Enkutatash and the flag.
Practise only: Geography, culture and symbols →
Which lake in northern Ethiopia is the source of the Blue Nile?
Lake Tana
The Blue Nile flows out of Lake Tana, near Bahir Dar, and later joins the White Nile at Khartoum.
What is Ethiopia’s highest mountain?
Ras Dashen
Ras Dashen, in the Simien Mountains, is the highest peak in Ethiopia.
How many months are there in the Ethiopian calendar?
13
The Ethiopian calendar has twelve months of 30 days plus a short thirteenth month, Pagume, of five or six days.
What is the Ethiopian New Year called?
Enkutatash
Enkutatash, the Ethiopian New Year, falls on 11 September, or 12 September in the year before a Gregorian leap year.
Which three colours form the stripes of Ethiopia’s flag?
Green, yellow and red
Ethiopia's flag has green, yellow and red horizontal stripes with a blue disc and yellow star in the centre.
Think you know them?
Take a timed mock exam in the real Ethiopia Civics format.