Use the state of Schleswig-Holstein as your reference.
Schleswig-Holstein is part of Germany. Denmark lies directly to its north. The boundary between them is therefore also a border between two countries, Germany and Denmark.
All four answer choices belong to the Nordic region. But the question does not test membership of that region; it tests direct neighbouring status. Do not classify them only as “north”: look for the shared land border.
The other three answers
The other three countries lack a shared land border with Germany.
Finland
Finland is a Nordic country, but not Germany’s immediate land neighbour. A shared regional label is not enough to make it correct.
Norway
Norway has no land border with Germany. A sea connection or travel between the countries does not create one.
Sweden
Sweden also does not directly border Germany by land. Do not confuse familiarity with a Nordic country with its exact position relative to Germany.
A land border and other connections are different questions.
The usual list of Germany’s nine neighbours refers to directly adjoining national territories. Other countries can be connected with Germany through seas, transport routes or cooperation without belonging to this list.
People on opposite sides of a national border do not form two completely separate language or cultural groups. Schleswig-Holstein expressly describes the German–Danish border region as linguistically and culturally diverse. The clear geographical relationship nevertheless determines the exam answer.
Cooperation with Denmark · State of Schleswig-Holstein ↗Germany → Schleswig-Holstein → Denmark: the direct connection to the north.
Use Schleswig-Holstein as a reference point. The question concerns the border, not all Nordic countries.
Three words for this question
- die Landgrenzeland border
- A shared boundary between adjacent national territories on land, including along border rivers.
- nördlichto the north
- Located in a northerly direction.
- die Grenzregionborder region
- An area near or on both sides of a border.