foreign service officer interview qns with answers on Diplomatic Protocols

Section 2: Diplomatic Protocols (40 MCQs)

1. Diplomatic immunity under the Vienna Convention applies to:
A) All family members of diplomats
B) Only the Ambassador
C) Military attachés only
D) Trade officers
✅ A

2. The correct way to address a non-ambassador head of mission is:
A) "Your Excellency"
B) "Mr./Madam High Commissioner"
C) "Honorable"
D) "Your Majesty"
✅ A

3. A diplomatic pouch may legally contain:
A) Commercial goods for resale
B) Classified documents
C) Firearms
D) Illegal narcotics
✅ B

4. Diplomatic credentials are presented to:
A) The Foreign Minister
B) The Parliament
C) The President or Head of State
D) The Chief Justice
✅ C

5. Who has precedence at official state functions?
A) Oldest ambassador
B) Longest-serving head of mission
C) Dean of the Diplomatic Corps
D) Host country’s Minister of Finance
✅ C

6. Which flag is flown at a diplomatic mission?
A) UN flag
B) Host country flag
C) Sending state’s flag
D) Both host and sending country flags
✅ C

7. The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations was adopted in:
A) 1961
B) 1945
C) 1999
D) 1980
✅ A

8. A consular officer is different from a diplomat because they:
A) Perform political duties
B) Only serve in military missions
C) Primarily assist nationals abroad
D) Cannot attend official events
✅ C

9. Diplomatic immunity does not protect against:
A) Criminal prosecution
B) Civil lawsuits
C) Serious crime investigations
D) Grave crimes under international law
✅ D

10. Immunities are waived by:
A) The diplomat themselves
B) The host country
C) The sending state
D) The local police
✅ C

11. A chargé d’affaires represents the mission:
A) Permanently
B) Only during armed conflict
C) In the absence of the ambassador
D) When visiting another city
✅ C

12. The term "persona non grata" refers to:
A) A welcome diplomat
B) An expelled or unwelcome diplomat
C) A newly appointed diplomat
D) A military advisor
✅ B

13. Which document confirms a diplomat’s status in a host country?
A) Letter of recall
B) Passport
C) Credential letter
D) Work permit
✅ C

14. A diplomatic mission can only be established with:
A) The host country’s approval
B) The UN's consent
C) Internal Ministry order
D) A Presidential decree
✅ A

15. The Protocol Department of the Ministry handles:
A) Weapons licenses
B) Diplomatic appointments
C) International banking
D) Currency exchange
✅ B

16. In the absence of a mission, consular functions may be performed by:
A) Any citizen
B) Honorary consuls
C) Tourists
D) Local police
✅ B

17. The diplomatic list is:
A) A list of citizens abroad
B) A formal directory of accredited diplomats
C) A refugee register
D) A UN funding roster
✅ B

18. Which is not a diplomatic courtesy?
A) Immunity from local laws
B) Preferential taxation
C) Use of priority airport lanes
D) Armed intervention
✅ D

19. A state visit is hosted for:
A) Any tourist
B) A head of state
C) An NGO director
D) A student representative
✅ B

20. National Day Receptions are hosted to:
A) Announce foreign policy changes
B) Celebrate independence or founding days
C) Elect a new president
D) Launch trade fairs
✅ B

21. Which body determines diplomatic privileges?
A) Local court
B) Ministry of Agriculture
C) Vienna Convention & Host State
D) Private business councils
✅ C

22. A diplomatic mission is considered:
A) Property of the host state
B) Territory of the UN
C) Inviolable under international law
D) Owned by military
✅ C

23. A visiting foreign minister is received by:
A) Judiciary
B) Police
C) Foreign Minister or designated officer
D) Trade union
✅ C

24. Immunity may be lifted:
A) Without consent
B) Automatically after 6 months
C) Only by the sending country
D) By the UN Security Council
✅ C

25. The order of precedence is important for:
A) Trade license allocation
B) Seating arrangements and official events
C) Election supervision
D) Budget planning
✅ B

26. A High Commission represents:
A) A non-governmental organization
B) Commonwealth countries
C) Embassies in Latin America
D) Religious missions
✅ B

27. The Vienna Convention ensures:
A) War against non-diplomats
B) Equal trade quotas
C) Protection and rights of diplomats
D) Elimination of visas
✅ C

28. Host countries must:
A) Pay salaries to foreign diplomats
B) Provide diplomatic accommodation
C) Respect and protect diplomats
D) Control diplomats' movement
✅ C

29. Diplomatic privileges end when:
A) A diplomat retires
B) The host country elects a new government
C) Accreditation is withdrawn
D) After 5 years
✅ C

30. Who grants agrément for ambassadorial appointments?
A) Sending country’s president
B) UN Secretary-General
C) Host country government
D) Local municipality
✅ C

31. Protocol courtesies during funerals of foreign dignitaries include:
A) Declaring a local holiday
B) Lowering flags to half-mast
C) Evacuating cities
D) Holding a press conference
✅ B

32. Immunity from criminal jurisdiction means:
A) The diplomat can’t be arrested
B) The diplomat pays no taxes
C) The diplomat never votes
D) The diplomat must apply for licenses
✅ A

33. Embassy premises are:
A) Searchable by local police anytime
B) Owned by the UN
C) Inviolable under international law
D) Government training centers
✅ C

34. Diplomatic relations are usually established through:
A) War
B) Bilateral agreements
C) Newspaper articles
D) Social media posts
✅ B

35. A letter of recall is submitted when:
A) A diplomat is promoted
B) A mission is relocated
C) An ambassador is ending a tour of duty
D) A new embassy is opened
✅ C

36. The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps is often:
A) The most senior government minister
B) The longest-serving foreign ambassador in the host country
C) A local police officer
D) The youngest diplomat
✅ B

37. Flag protocol for visiting dignitaries requires:
A) No flag display
B) Only host country’s flag
C) Both countries’ flags displayed together
D) UN flag only
✅ C

38. Immunity from civil jurisdiction excludes:
A) Private real estate transactions
B) Traffic fines
C) Performing consular marriages
D) Delivery of diplomatic pouches
✅ A

39. An ambassador is accredited to:
A) Any city in the host country
B) The head of state
C) Local business associations
D) Trade unions
✅ B

40. A diplomatic note is used for:
A) Banking purposes
B) Formal communication between states
C) Commercial shipping
D) Public declarations
✅ B