The Belgian nationality test focuses on practical details, says Ross McQueen, while Hugh Lawson writes about leave to remain in Japan, and Gerard Cavalier thinks MPs should be quizzed

Zoe Williams’ piece about a Bolivian friend taking the UK citizenship test (Can you pull your weight in a pub quiz? Congratulations – you’re welcome in the UK!, 9 May) reminded me of my own experience gaining dual nationality. I became a Belgian citizen last year, as part of which I sat an integration test organised by the Flemish regional government.

While the UK test focuses on British history and trivia, the Flemish test centres on how well you can cope with day-to-day life in Belgium. It included practical exercises such as filling in gaps in a letter to your landlord (in Dutch), checking bus routes from Mechelen to the nearest zoo, and picking the greenest energy provider from a choice of three options.