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100+ Free Shimane Public High School Entrance Examination — Social Studies Practice Questions

Prepare for the Shimane Prefectural Public High School Entrance Examination — Social Studies (島根県公立高等学校入学者選抜 学力検査 社会) exam with instant access — no signup required.

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Key Facts: Shimane Public High School Entrance Examination — Social Studies Exam

Practise for the Shimane Prefectural Public High School Entrance Exam in Social Studies (社会) with 100 four-option questions covering 地理, 歴史 and 公民, weighted to the official 50-point paper sat on 4 March 2026. Social studies is examined in 一般選抜 only (not in the 特色選抜学力検査). The official paper contains 記述式 and document/map-based items, so this English-language MCQ bank is a study aid, not a format simulation.

Sample Shimane Public High School Entrance Examination — Social Studies Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Shimane Public High School Entrance Examination — Social Studies exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1On which coast of Honshu is Shimane Prefecture located?
A.The Sea of Japan (San'in) coast
B.The Pacific (San'yō) coast
C.The Seto Inland Sea coast
D.The East China Sea coast
Explanation: Shimane lies on the Sea of Japan side of Honshu, in the San'in region.
2Shimane is the second-least-populated prefecture in Japan. Which prefecture is the least populated?
A.Tottori
B.Yamanashi
C.Fukui
D.Kagawa
Explanation: Tottori is the least-populated prefecture; Shimane is the second-least-populated. Both are San'in prefectures.
3Which lake in Shimane is the seventh-largest in Japan and is famous for its sunset and the shijimi clam?
A.Lake Shinji (Shinjiko)
B.Lake Biwa
C.Lake Kasumigaura
D.Lake Towada
Explanation: Lake Shinji, near Matsue, is the seventh-largest lake in Japan and is known for sunsets and the shijimi clam fishery.
4Lake Shinji is a brackish-water lake. 'Brackish' means the water is?
A.A mixture of fresh and salt water
B.Purely fresh water
C.Purely salt water
D.Frozen most of the year
Explanation: Brackish water is a mixture of fresh and salt water, typically where rivers meet the sea; Lake Shinji connects via Nakaumi to the Sea of Japan.
5Which river, the longest in Shimane, flows through the Izumo Plain and into Lake Shinji?
A.The Hi'i River (Hikawa)
B.The Shinano River
C.The Tone River
D.The Yoshino River
Explanation: The Hi'i River (日之出川/斐伊川) is the longest river in Shimane, flowing through the Izumo Plain into Lake Shinji.
6Which group of islands, part of Shimane Prefecture, lies in the Sea of Japan off the north coast?
A.The Oki Islands
B.The Izu Islands
C.The Amami Islands
D.The Goto Islands
Explanation: The Oki Islands are an archipelago in the Sea of Japan, administratively part of Shimane Prefecture.
7The Oki Islands have a notable historical distinction related to the Kamakura period. What is it?
A.Emperor Go-Daigo was exiled there
B.They were the site of the Genpei War
C.They were the first place Europeans reached in Japan
D.They were Japan's first capital
Explanation: In 1332 the Kamakura shogunate exiled Emperor Go-Daigo to the Oki Islands; he later escaped and launched the Kenmu Restoration.
8Shimane's climate on the Sea of Japan side is characterised by which feature in winter?
A.Heavy snow from moisture-laden northwest winds
B.Dry, rainless winters
C.Warm winters with no snow
D.Frequent typhoons in winter
Explanation: The Sea of Japan side has heavy winter snow: the winter northwest monsoon picks up moisture over the sea and drops it as snow on the coast.
9In contrast to the San'in coast, the Pacific (San'yō) side of Honshu in winter is typically?
A.Dry with little snow
B.Heavily snowed
C.Constantly rainy
D.Tropical
Explanation: The Pacific side lies in the rain shadow of the mountains, so winter winds arrive dry — little snow and low rainfall.
10Izumo Taisha in Shimane is one of Japan's most important shrines. It is especially famous for which festival in the 10th lunar month?
A.Kamiari-sai, when gods from across Japan are said to gather there
B.The Gion Festival
C.The Aoi Festival
D.The Tanabata Festival
Explanation: During Kamiari-sai (the 'god-gathering' festival) in the 10th month, gods from all over Japan are believed to assemble at Izumo Taisha.

About the Shimane Public High School Entrance Examination — Social Studies Exam

The Shimane Prefectural Public High School Entrance Examination in Social Studies (社会) tests lower-secondary graduates on geography, history and civics. In the 令和8年度 (2026) cycle the general academic test (学力検査) covers five subjects (国語, 数学, 社会, 理科, 英語), each worth 50 points (total 250), sat on a single day, 4 March 2026; social studies is part of this 一般選抜 test only (the 特色選抜学力検査 covers 国語・数学・英語). Selection in 一般選抜 combines the 個人調査報告書 with the 学力検査 at a school-chosen 個人調査報告書:学力検査 ratio (80:20–40:60), with up to 10 points for 面接/実技 and optional 傾斜配点. The paper is aligned to the MEXT junior-high Course of Study (平成29年 中学校学習指導要領 社会編) and tests 知識・技能 plus 思考力・判断力・表現力, with 記述式/論述式 and document/map-based items. The 令和8年度 社会 paper averaged 26.6 points out of 50 (総得点 across five subjects: 124.6/250). Shimane-specific contexts such as the Izumo myths and Kunibiki legend, the Iwami Ginzan silver mine and its East Asian trade, Matsue Castle and the Horio/Matsudaira lords, the Oki Islands and Emperor Go-Daigo's exile, the San'in/Sea-of-Japan-side climate, and the prefecture's aging and declining population appear across the practice items.

Assessment

50-point paper aligned to the MEXT 社会 Course of Study covering 地理, 歴史 and 公民, with 記述式/論述式 and document/map-based items. The five academic-test subjects (国語, 数学, 社会, 理科, 英語) each carry 50 points (max 250), sat on a single day (4 March 2026). Problems are at junior-high graduation level; schools may apply 傾斜配点. The paper tests 知識・技能 plus 思考力・判断力・表現力. Social studies is examined in the 一般選抜 学力検査 only — the 特色選抜学力検査 covers 国語・数学・英語 (no social studies).

Time Limit

Sat as part of the single-day five-subject 学力検査: each subject is a 50-point paper of 50 minutes, 250 points in total. For 令和8年度 the 学力検査 was on 4 March 2026 (Wed), with 面接等 on 5 March, 追検査 on 10 March, 一般選抜等合格発表 on 13 March, and 第2次募集 作文・面接検査 on 19 March (合格発表 24 March). The 特色選抜学力検査 (国・数・英, 60 min, no social studies) was in late January. For 令和9年度 (2027) the 特色選抜学力検査 is on 20 January 2027, with the main 実施要綱 due around October 2026.

Passing Score

No fixed prefecture-wide pass mark. The 社会 paper is scored out of 50 points (250 across the five 学力検査 subjects, each 50 points). 一般選抜 selects on the 個人調査報告書 together with the 学力検査 at a school-chosen 個人調査報告書:学力検査 ratio of 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, 50:50, or 40:60 (converted to a 100-point scale), with up to 10 points for 面接/実技 and optional 傾斜配点. There is no single prefecture-wide pass line. Source: 令和8年度 島根県公立高等学校入学者選抜 実施要綱 / 基本方針, 島根県教育委員会.

Exam Fee

The 入学検定料 is ¥2,200, paid through the internet出願システム (or via a 島根県収入証紙 revenue stamp for paper submission), and is not refundable. Candidates re-applying after a 特色選抜/中高一貫特別選抜 pay only an additional ¥800. Source: 令和8年度 島根県公立高等学校入学者選抜 実施要綱, 島根県教育委員会. (Shimane Prefectural Board of Education (島根県教育委員会), 学校教育課 (together with 松江市教育委員会 for 松江市立皆美が丘女子高等学校))

Shimane Public High School Entrance Examination — Social Studies Exam Content Outline

35%

Geography (地理)

Japan and world regions, climate and topography, industry and resources, population and settlement, map reading, GIS and regional characteristics.

35%

History (歴史)

Ancient, medieval and modern Japanese history, world history context, key figures, political and social change, and primary-source interpretation.

30%

Civics (公民)

The Constitution (principles, rights, duties), the Diet, cabinet and courts, international relations, the UN, human rights, the economy and contemporary society.

How to Pass the Shimane Public High School Entrance Examination — Social Studies Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: No fixed prefecture-wide pass mark. The 社会 paper is scored out of 50 points (250 across the five 学力検査 subjects, each 50 points). 一般選抜 selects on the 個人調査報告書 together with the 学力検査 at a school-chosen 個人調査報告書:学力検査 ratio of 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, 50:50, or 40:60 (converted to a 100-point scale), with up to 10 points for 面接/実技 and optional 傾斜配点. There is no single prefecture-wide pass line. Source: 令和8年度 島根県公立高等学校入学者選抜 実施要綱 / 基本方針, 島根県教育委員会.
  • Assessment: 50-point paper aligned to the MEXT 社会 Course of Study covering 地理, 歴史 and 公民, with 記述式/論述式 and document/map-based items. The five academic-test subjects (国語, 数学, 社会, 理科, 英語) each carry 50 points (max 250), sat on a single day (4 March 2026). Problems are at junior-high graduation level; schools may apply 傾斜配点. The paper tests 知識・技能 plus 思考力・判断力・表現力. Social studies is examined in the 一般選抜 学力検査 only — the 特色選抜学力検査 covers 国語・数学・英語 (no social studies).
  • Time limit: Sat as part of the single-day five-subject 学力検査: each subject is a 50-point paper of 50 minutes, 250 points in total. For 令和8年度 the 学力検査 was on 4 March 2026 (Wed), with 面接等 on 5 March, 追検査 on 10 March, 一般選抜等合格発表 on 13 March, and 第2次募集 作文・面接検査 on 19 March (合格発表 24 March). The 特色選抜学力検査 (国・数・英, 60 min, no social studies) was in late January. For 令和9年度 (2027) the 特色選抜学力検査 is on 20 January 2027, with the main 実施要綱 due around October 2026.
  • Exam fee: The 入学検定料 is ¥2,200, paid through the internet出願システム (or via a 島根県収入証紙 revenue stamp for paper submission), and is not refundable. Candidates re-applying after a 特色選抜/中高一貫特別選抜 pay only an additional ¥800. Source: 令和8年度 島根県公立高等学校入学者選抜 実施要綱, 島根県教育委員会.

Keys to Passing

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

Shimane Public High School Entrance Examination — Social Studies Study Tips from Top Performers

1Build a timeline of Japanese history from ancient to modern and place key figures and events on it, because history items test sequence and causation, not isolated facts.
2For geography, memorise the regional characteristics of Japan (climate, industry, topography) and practise reading maps, graphs and statistics, since items test data interpretation.
3For civics, learn the Constitution's three principles (国民主権, 基本的人権の尊重, 平和主義) and the structure of the Diet/cabinet/courts, because items test the mechanism of government.
4Connect local Shimane contexts — Izumo myths, Iwami Ginzan, Matsue Castle, the Oki Islands — to national themes, since prefectural papers often use local examples to test general concepts.
5For 資料問題, read the source first, identify what it shows, then answer, and for 記述式 items state a claim and cite the supporting evidence from the document.
6Practise full 50-minute papers, because the mix of geography, history and civics in one paper makes time management the main challenge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this question bank the same as the real Shimane 社会 exam?

No. The official paper is written in Japanese with 記述式/論述式 and document/map-based items, and its exact item count is not published. This bank is an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation of the same syllabus content (including the Constitution, the Diet and Japanese/world history) and cannot replace writing out your own answers in Japanese under timed conditions.

How long is the Shimane 社会 paper and what is it worth?

It is scored out of 50 points, one of five subjects totalling 250 points (each subject 50 points), and each paper runs 50 minutes. All five are sat on a single day: for 令和8年度 that day was 4 March 2026. The 令和8年度 社会 paper averaged 26.6 points out of 50 across all 一般選抜 examinees.

Is social studies part of the 特色選抜 (special selection) test?

No. Social studies (and science) are examined only in the 一般選抜 学力検査 on 4 March. The 特色選抜学力検査 held in late January covers 国語・数学・英語 only (各20点, 60 min), with no social-studies paper.

How is the selection structured?

Shimane runs 特色選抜 (総合選抜, 中高一貫特別選抜, スポーツ特別選抜; 特色選抜学力検査 in 国・数・英, 各20点, 60 min, late January) and 一般選抜 (five-subject 学力検査 on 4 March including 社会, 面接等 on 5 March, 追検査 on 10 March, 合格発表 on 13 March). 一般選抜 selects on 個人調査報告書 + 学力検査 at a school-chosen 個人調査報告書:学力検査 ratio (80:20, 70:30, 60:40, 50:50 or 40:60), with up to 10 points for 面接/実技 and optional 傾斜配点. Under-capacity schools hold a 第2次募集 (作文・面接 on 19 March, 合格発表 on 24 March).

Does the 社会 paper use documents and maps?

Yes. The MEXT 平成29年 中学校学習指導要領 社会編 emphasises 資料活用, and Shimane's prefectural paper includes items based on historical documents, statistics, graphs and maps, often with 記述式 answers that require a claim supported by the source.

How much is the examination fee?

The 入学検定料 is ¥2,200, paid through the internet出願システム (or via a 島根県収入証紙 revenue stamp for paper submission), and is not refundable. Candidates re-applying after a 特色選抜/中高一貫特別選抜 pay only an additional ¥800.