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What does the principle of laïcité allow?
Model-written, not yet read by a native reader.
Correct answer: Everyone is free to think, to believe or not to believe. Laïcité allows each person to be free to think, to live, to believe or not to believe. It has a positive goal. It is not against any religion.
Sources: Sheet “La laïcité à l'école (2/2)” (French), read on 21 October 2026. Answer written by Hexaciv from this source. Hexaciv is an independent preparation tool. It is not an official website, is not linked to any government body and does not give legal advice. The authoritative source is the Ministry of the Interior's, cited on this page.
The four choices and why
- ✗ Banning religion in all public placesInterdire la religion dans tous les lieux publicsThis option does not match what the sheet says: laïcité is not against certain religions.
- ✗ Forcing all people to follow the same religionObliger toutes les personnes à suivre la même religionNobody is forced to follow a religion.
- ✗ Limiting people's freedom to thinkLimiter la liberté de penser des personnesLaïcité is not a constraint that limits people's freedom.
- ✓ Everyone is free to think, to believe or not to believeChacun est libre de penser, de croire ou de ne pas croireCorrect answer. Laïcité allows each person to be free to think, to live, to believe or not to believe. It has a positive goal. It is not against any religion.
How it reads on exam day
The exam is in French, so this is the question you will see: « Que permet le principe de laïcité ? ». Learn the English idea above and the French words in the options.
This question is on the official list for the multi-year residence card (CSP). The Ministry's wording: “Que permet le principe de laïcité ?”.
Where the Ministry explains it
Sheet “La laïcité à l'école (2/2)” (French).
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