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Which penalty was abolished in 1981?
Model-written, not yet read by a native reader.
Correct answer: The death penalty. The death penalty was abolished in 1981. Robert Badinter, Minister of Justice, supported the law under President Mitterrand. Since 2007, the Constitution forbids it. Source: the Ministry of the Interior sheet “Focus sur la Vème République : l'abolition de la peine de mort” (in French).
Sources: Sheet “Focus sur la Vème République : l'abolition de la peine de mort” (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
- ✗ The fineL’amendeThe fine is not the penalty abolished in 1981.
- ✗ Life imprisonmentLa prison à vieLife imprisonment is not the penalty abolished in 1981.
- ✓ The death penaltyLa peine de mortCorrect answer. The death penalty was abolished in 1981. Robert Badinter, Minister of Justice, supported the law under President Mitterrand. Since 2007, the Constitution forbids it.
- ✗ Community serviceLe travail d’intérêt généralThis is not the penalty abolished in 1981.
What the source says
« En 1981, sous la Vème République, la peine de mort est totalement abolie. »
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: « Quelle peine est supprimée en 1981 ? ». Learn the English idea above and the French words in the options.
This question is on the official list for the resident card (CR). The Ministry's wording: “Quelle peine a été supprimée en 1981 ?”.
Where the Ministry explains it
Sheet “Focus sur la Vème République : l'abolition de la peine de mort” (French).
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