Questions and explanations

The flag’s background is green and red. The shield and armillary sphere add other elements and colours, so the question refers only to the background.

The shield of the national arms sits over an armillary sphere. These are two distinct elements: the shield is in front of the sphere.

A Portuguesa is the title of the national anthem, not the name of one of its authors. Alfredo Keil composed the music.

Alfredo Keil composed the music. This role is distinct from writing the lyrics, which were written by Henrique Lopes de Mendonça.

Henrique Lopes de Mendonça wrote the lyrics. Alfredo Keil composed the music: remembering the two roles helps distinguish the authors.

Green is next to the flagpole. Referring to the pole is clearer than simply saying “on the left”, because the side being viewed can change.

There are five blue escutcheons. This counts the small blue shields, not the white dots inside them.

The shield shows seven castles. This number identifies a visible element of the flag; it is not a count of all the castles in Portugal.

The National Constituent Assembly adopted A Portuguesa as the national anthem on 19 June 1911. The question concerns adoption as the anthem, not the composition of the music.

This national celebration takes place on 10 June. It is a commemorative date, studied in this topic alongside the flag and anthem.

Article 11 gives the flag a national meaning: the Republic’s sovereignty, independence, unity and integrity. It is not a party emblem or the emblem of just one region.

Article 7 provides for half-mast when national mourning is ordered, for the specified number of days. This question concerns that situation under the general rule.