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What is one of the main duties of a French citizen?
Model-written, not yet read by a native reader.
Correct answer: Obeying the law. One main duty of a French citizen is to obey the law. The citizen must also try to make others obey it. The citizen also takes part in political life, in the defence of the country and in justice.
Sources: Sheet “Les obligations en tant que citoyen français” (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
- ✗ Doing a year of military serviceFaire un service militaire d'un anNational service has been suspended since 1997.
- ✗ Working for the administrationTravailler pour l'administrationThat is not the right answer: the sheet lists respect for the law, political life, defence and justice.
- ✓ Obeying the lawRespecter la loiCorrect answer. One main duty of a French citizen is to obey the law. The citizen must also try to make others obey it. The citizen also takes part in political life, in the defence of the country and in justice.
- ✗ Joining a political partyEntrer dans un parti politiqueEach citizen is free to join a party, or not.
What the source says
« le citoyen français doit respecter la loi (française et européenne) »
Sentence copied word for word from the source, in French, read on 21 October 2026.
How it reads on exam day
The exam is in French, so this is the question you will see: « Quel est l'un des devoirs principaux d'un citoyen français ? ». Learn the English idea above and the French words in the options.
This question comes from the list of the naturalisation version of the exam (PDF relayed by Le Français des affaires, read on 14 October 2026; the Ministry's own page for this list did not answer). The list's wording: “Quel est l'un des devoirs principaux d'un citoyen français ?”.
Where the Ministry explains it
Sheet “Les obligations en tant que citoyen français” (French).
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