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100+ Free HKDSE CSD Practice Questions

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What is the role of the People's Liberation Army garrison stationed in Hong Kong under the Basic Law?

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: HKDSE CSD Exam

HKDSE Citizenship and Social Development is a compulsory core subject assessed by a single ~2-hour written paper with three data-based questions, graded 'Attained' or 'Unattained' (about 93.2% Attained in 2025).

Sample HKDSE CSD Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your HKDSE CSD exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under which principle is Hong Kong governed as a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China?
A.Federalism
B.Devolved sovereignty
C.Autonomous self-determination
D.One Country, Two Systems
Explanation: Hong Kong is governed under 'One Country, Two Systems', under which it is an inalienable part of the PRC ('one country') while retaining its capitalist system and way of life ('two systems'). This principle is the constitutional basis of the HKSAR and is central to Theme 1 of the Citizenship and Social Development curriculum.
2What is the constitutional document of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region?
A.The Sino-British Joint Declaration
B.The Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance
C.The Basic Law
D.The Letters Patent
Explanation: The Basic Law of the HKSAR is the constitutional document of Hong Kong. It was enacted by the National People's Congress in 1990 and took effect on 1 July 1997, prescribing the systems and policies practised in the Region under 'One Country, Two Systems'.
3Article 5 of the Basic Law states that the previous capitalist system and way of life in Hong Kong shall remain unchanged for how many years after the 1997 handover?
A.25 years
B.30 years
C.50 years
D.100 years
Explanation: Article 5 of the Basic Law provides that the socialist system shall not be practised in Hong Kong and that the previous capitalist system and way of life shall remain unchanged for 50 years (i.e. until 2047). This guarantee underpins the 'two systems' element of the principle.
4Which body enacted the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region?
A.The Legislative Council of Hong Kong
B.The British Parliament
C.The National People's Congress of the PRC
D.The Court of Final Appeal
Explanation: The Basic Law was enacted by the National People's Congress (NPC), the highest organ of state power of the PRC, in accordance with Article 31 of the PRC Constitution. It was promulgated in 1990 and came into effect on 1 July 1997.
5Which article of the Constitution of the People's Republic of China provides the legal basis for the State to establish special administrative regions?
A.Article 31
B.Article 1
C.Article 22
D.Article 45
Explanation: Article 31 of the PRC Constitution authorises the State to establish special administrative regions when necessary and provides that the systems to be instituted there shall be prescribed by law enacted by the NPC. This is the ultimate constitutional basis for the HKSAR and the Basic Law.
6According to Article 1 of the Basic Law, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is best described as:
A.A sovereign state in free association with China
B.A condominium jointly administered by China and Britain
C.A self-governing dominion of the PRC
D.An inalienable part of the People's Republic of China
Explanation: Article 1 of the Basic Law states that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China. This embodies the 'one country' element of the governing principle.
7Which level of government, under the Basic Law, is responsible for the foreign affairs relating to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region?
A.The HKSAR Government
B.The Central People's Government
C.The Legislative Council
D.The Guangdong provincial government
Explanation: Article 13 of the Basic Law provides that the Central People's Government is responsible for the foreign affairs relating to the HKSAR. However, the SAR is authorised to conduct relevant external affairs (such as trade and cultural matters) on its own in the name 'Hong Kong, China'.
8Who is responsible for the defence of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under the Basic Law?
A.The Hong Kong Police Force
B.The HKSAR Government
C.The Central People's Government
D.The United Nations
Explanation: Article 14 of the Basic Law provides that the Central People's Government is responsible for the defence of the HKSAR. The garrison of the People's Liberation Army stationed in Hong Kong does not interfere in local affairs, which the SAR Government maintains responsibility for.
9Article 22 of the Basic Law primarily provides that:
A.Hong Kong residents may participate in the management of state affairs
B.The capitalist system shall remain unchanged for 50 years
C.Hong Kong shall enact its own laws on national security
D.No department of the Central Government or any province may interfere in the affairs Hong Kong administers on its own
Explanation: Article 22 provides that no department of the Central People's Government, and no province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government, may interfere in the affairs which the HKSAR administers on its own in accordance with the Basic Law. This protects the SAR's high degree of autonomy.
10Article 23 of the Basic Law requires the HKSAR to enact laws on its own to prohibit acts such as treason, secession, sedition and subversion. What is the purpose of such laws?
A.To regulate trade between Hong Kong and the mainland
B.To protect intellectual property rights
C.To safeguard national security
D.To set the term of office of the Chief Executive
Explanation: Article 23 imposes a constitutional duty on the HKSAR to enact laws to prohibit treason, secession, sedition, subversion and the theft of state secrets in order to safeguard national security. Hong Kong fulfilled this duty by enacting the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance in 2024.

About the HKDSE CSD Exam

Citizenship and Social Development (CSD) is a compulsory core subject of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE), introduced from Secondary 4 in 2021/22 and first examined in 2024, replacing the former Liberal Studies subject. The curriculum, set out in the EDB/HKEAA Curriculum and Assessment Guide, comprises three themes: 'Hong Kong under "One Country, Two Systems"', 'Our Country since Reform and Opening-up', and 'Interconnectedness and Interdependence of the Contemporary World'. The public assessment is a single written paper of about two hours with three compulsory data-based questions, answered in English or Chinese. Results are reported on one level as 'Attained' or 'Unattained' rather than on the 1-5 scale used for other subjects. A Mainland study tour is an integral part of the curriculum but is not part of the public assessment.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

Approximately 2 hours (single public written paper)

Passing Score

Reported as 'Attained' or 'Unattained'; the pass mark is roughly 40% of marks, with a 2025 'Attained' rate of about 93.2%.

Exam Fee

Included in the HKDSE entry fee set annually by the HKEAA (around HK$700-800 per Category A subject for school candidates). (Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA))

HKDSE CSD Exam Content Outline

45%

Hong Kong under 'One Country, Two Systems'

Constitutional basis (PRC Constitution and Basic Law), rule of law, national security, residents' rights and duties, social and political participation, and livelihood and development.

30%

Our Country since Reform and Opening-up

National development and achievements, the PRC Constitution, China's participation in international affairs, and the Greater Bay Area.

20%

Interconnectedness and Interdependence of the Contemporary World

Globalisation, public health, sustainable development and technology in the contemporary world.

5%

Exam structure and curriculum

Attained/Unattained reporting, the single 2-hour written paper, the Mainland study tour, and the change from Liberal Studies.

How to Pass the HKDSE CSD Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Reported as 'Attained' or 'Unattained'; the pass mark is roughly 40% of marks, with a 2025 'Attained' rate of about 93.2%.
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: Approximately 2 hours (single public written paper)
  • Exam fee: Included in the HKDSE entry fee set annually by the HKEAA (around HK$700-800 per Category A subject for school candidates).

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

HKDSE CSD Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master the Basic Law essentials: Article 1 (inalienable part of the PRC), Article 5 (capitalist system for 50 years), Articles 12-14 (autonomy, foreign affairs, defence), Article 22 (non-interference) and Article 23 (national security).
2Memorise key milestones of Reform and Opening-up: 1978 launch (Third Plenary Session), the 1980 Special Economic Zones, WTO accession in 2001, and the Greater Bay Area (11 cities, 2019 Outline Development Plan).
3For Theme 3, learn definitions and examples of globalisation, sustainable development, public health (pandemics, WHO) and technology, and be ready to weigh opportunities against challenges.
4Practise answering data-based questions: spend the first marks extracting information directly from the sources, then add your own explanation, as the 2026 paper rewards external knowledge.
5Aim for a comfortable margin: getting about half the marks on each of the three questions secures 'Attained', so do not leave any question blank.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is HKDSE Citizenship and Social Development graded?

It uses one-level reporting: results are reported as 'Attained' or 'Unattained', unlike most other HKDSE subjects which are graded on a 1-5 scale. The pass mark is roughly 40% of marks, and the 2025 'Attained' rate was about 93.2%.

What is the format of the CSD public examination?

It is a single written paper of about two hours containing three compulsory data-based questions covering the three curriculum themes. Candidates answer in English or Chinese; there is no public multiple-choice section.

What are the three themes of the CSD curriculum?

The three themes are 'Hong Kong under "One Country, Two Systems"', 'Our Country since Reform and Opening-up', and 'Interconnectedness and Interdependence of the Contemporary World'.

Is the Mainland study tour examined?

No. The Mainland study tour is an integral part of the curriculum and all students must take part, but it does not involve public assessment and is not examined in the written paper.

What subject did Citizenship and Social Development replace?

CSD replaced Liberal Studies as a compulsory HKDSE core subject. It was introduced at Secondary 4 in the 2021/22 school year and first examined in 2024.