Basic Dutch in 30 Days: Emergencies

1. Question 1 of 10

   What does “Brand!” mean?

   • AHelp!
   • BPolice!
   • CFire!
   • DStop!
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   Answer: C. Fire!

   Brand means fire. Shout Brand! and call 112 for the fire brigade (de brandweer).

2. Question 2 of 10

   In the Netherlands, which number do you call in an emergency for the police, fire brigade or ambulance?

   • A999
   • B112
   • C911
   • D0900-8844
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   Answer: B. 112

   112 is the emergency number in the Netherlands and in every EU country. The call is free. (Sources: European Commission, digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/112; Dutch police, politie.nl/contact)

3. Question 3 of 10

   You need the Dutch police, but it is not an emergency. Which number do you call?

   • A0900-8844
   • B110
   • C112
   • D911
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   Answer: A. 0900-8844

   The Dutch police say: Geen spoed, wel politie? Bel 0900-8844. Keep 112 for emergencies. (Source: Dutch police, politie.nl/contact)

4. Question 4 of 10

   What is true about 112?

   • AYou must pay for the call.
   • BIt works in every EU country.
   • CIt only works from a fixed phone.
   • DIt only works in the Netherlands.
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   Answer: B. It works in every EU country.

   112 is available everywhere in the EU, free of charge, from fixed and mobile phones. (Source: European Commission, digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/112)

5. Question 5 of 10

   Fill the gap: Bel een ___! (Call an ambulance!)

   • Aapotheek
   • Bambulance
   • Cbrandweer
   • Dziekenhuis
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   Answer: B. ambulance

   Bel een ambulance! means call an ambulance. Het ziekenhuis is the hospital. In an emergency, call 112.

6. Question 6 of 10

   How do you say “Someone is hurt”?

   • AIemand heeft gewond.
   • BIemand is gewond.
   • CIemand is gestolen.
   • DNiemand is gewond.
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   Answer: B. Iemand is gewond.

   Gewond means hurt or injured, and you use is: iemand is gewond. Niemand means nobody.

7. Question 7 of 10

   On a 112 call, the operator asks: “Waar bent u?” Which reply fits?

   • AIn de Stationsstraat, bij nummer 10.
   • BHet gaat goed.
   • CIk heet Sam.
   • DOm acht uur.
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   Answer: A. In de Stationsstraat, bij nummer 10.

   Waar asks where. Give the street and number so help can find you quickly.

8. Question 8 of 10

   Listen. What happened?

   Play audioListen, then answer. The transcript is shown after you answer.

   No sound? Read the text instead

   Help! Er is een ongeluk gebeurd. Iemand is gewond. Bel een ambulance!

   • ASomeone stole a bag.
   • BThere was an accident and someone is hurt.
   • CThere is a fire.
   • DSomeone lost a passport.
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   Answer: B. There was an accident and someone is hurt.

   Er is een ongeluk gebeurd means there has been an accident, and iemand is gewond means someone is hurt. Call 112 in an emergency.

   Transcript

   Help! Er is een ongeluk gebeurd. Iemand is gewond. Bel een ambulance!

9. Question 9 of 10

   Listen. What does the man want?

   Play audioListen, then answer. The transcript is shown after you answer.

   No sound? Read the text instead

   Agent: Goedemiddag, kan ik u helpen?
   Man: Ja, mijn fiets is gestolen. Ik wil aangifte doen.

   • ATo report that his bike was stolen
   • BTo find the hospital
   • CTo report an accident
   • DTo report that his bag was stolen
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   Answer: A. To report that his bike was stolen

   He says mijn fiets is gestolen (my bike has been stolen) and ik wil aangifte doen (I want to report a crime).

   Transcript

   Agent: Goedemiddag, kan ik u helpen?
   Man: Ja, mijn fiets is gestolen. Ik wil aangifte doen.

10. Question 10 of 10

    Read the sign. What should you do if there is a fire?

    Bij brand:
    Bel 112.
    Gebruik de lift niet.
    Ga via de trap naar buiten.

    • AWait in your room.
    • BTake the elevator down.
    • CCall 0900-8844.
    • DUse the stairs and go outside.
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    Answer: D. Use the stairs and go outside.

    The sign says do not use the lift (elevator) and go outside by the stairs (de trap). For a fire, call 112, not 0900-8844. (Sources: European Commission, digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/112; Dutch police, politie.nl/contact)

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