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

Prepare for the Tokyo Metropolitan Public High School Entrance Examination — Social Studies (東京都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: Tokyo Metropolitan Public High School Entrance Examination — Social Studies Exam

Practise for the Tokyo Metropolitan 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 100-point, 50-minute paper sat on 令和8年2月21日(土). The official paper mixes a mark-sheet section with 記述式 answers requiring source interpretation, so this English-language MCQ bank drills the underlying knowledge and reasoning — it is not a format simulation.

Sample Tokyo Metropolitan Public High School Entrance Examination — Social Studies Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Tokyo Metropolitan 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.

1Which Japanese island is the largest in area and contains most of the country's population?
A.Honshu
B.Hokkaido
C.Kyushu
D.Shikoku
Explanation: Honshu (本州) is the largest of Japan's four main islands and holds the majority of the national population, including the Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka metropolitan areas.
2Which mountain, the highest in Japan, is located roughly on the border of Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures?
A.Mount Fuji
B.Mount Aso
C.Mount Tate
D.Mount Hiei
Explanation: Mount Fuji (富士山), at 3,776 m, is Japan's highest peak and straddles the border of Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures. It is a near-symmetrical stratovolcano and a cultural symbol of Japan.
3Which plain, drained by the Tone River, is the largest in Japan and includes most of Tokyo?
A.Kanto Plain
B.Nobi Plain
C.Osaka Plain
D.Ishikari Plain
Explanation: The Kanto Plain (関東平野), drained by the Tone River, is the largest plain in Japan and supports the Tokyo metropolitan area. Its size made it a center of politics and population.
4Hokkaido's climate is characterized by cool summers and cold, snowy winters. Which agricultural product is the region most famous for nationally?
A.Dairy products and wheat
B.Tea and mandarin oranges
C.Rice and persimmons
D.Sugar cane and pineapples
Explanation: Hokkaido's cool climate suits dairy farming (酪農) and dry-field crops such as wheat and potatoes, making it Japan's leading dairy-producing region.
5The Seto Inland Sea (瀬戸内海) is known for which distinctive climate feature compared with the Pacific coast facing the open ocean?
A.Low rainfall and mild weather year-round
B.Heavy snow in winter
C.Frequent typhoon landfalls in summer
D.Persistent fog throughout the year
Explanation: The Seto Inland Sea (瀬戸内海) region has a Seto Inland Sea climate (瀬戸内海式気候), marked by relatively low rainfall and mild temperatures because surrounding mountains block moist seasonal winds.
6In winter, the Sea of Japan side of Honshu receives heavy snow. Which seasonal wind, picking up moisture over the sea, is primarily responsible?
A.The winter monsoon from the northwest
B.The summer monsoon from the southeast
C.A dry foehn wind from the Pacific
D.Trade winds blowing from the southwest
Explanation: In winter, the northwest winter monsoon (冬の季節風) blows from Siberia across the Sea of Japan, absorbing moisture and dumping heavy snow (豪雪) on the Sea of Japan coast.
7Which warm ocean current flowing north along Japan's Pacific coast brings moisture and moderate winters to southern Japan?
A.The Kuroshio Current
B.The Oyashio Current
C.The Liman Current
D.The Tsugaru Current
Explanation: The Kuroshio Current (黒潮) is a warm current flowing north along Japan's Pacific coast, moderating the climate of southern Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu and supporting coral reefs in some areas.
8The meeting of the warm Kuroshio and cold Oyashio currents off the Sanriku coast creates which economically important phenomenon?
A.A rich fishing ground
B.A year-round typhoon belt
C.A persistent fog-free zone
D.A major coral-reef formation
Explanation: Where the warm Kuroshio and cold Oyashio meet off the Sanriku coast (三陸沖), nutrient upwelling creates one of the world's great fishing grounds, supporting sardine, saury, and other stocks.
9Which coniferous forest type, dominated by fir and spruce, is found in the subalpine zone of central Honshu mountains such as the Japanese Alps?
A.Subalpine coniferous forest
B.Evergreen broadleaf forest
C.Deciduous broadleaf forest
D.Tropical rainforest
Explanation: The subalpine zone of central Honshu's high mountains bears coniferous forest (亜高山帯針葉樹林) of fir (もみ) and spruce (とうひ), adapted to cold, snowy conditions.
10The warm-temperate evergreen broadleaf forest (照葉樹林) zone of southwestern Japan is dominated by which kind of trees?
A.Camphor and evergreen oak
B.Fir and spruce
C.Beech and maple
D.Eucalyptus and acacia
Explanation: The 照葉樹林 (evergreen broadleaf forest) zone of southwestern Japan features trees such as camphor (くすのき) and evergreen oaks (かし), whose glossy leaves tolerate the warm humid climate.

About the Tokyo Metropolitan Public High School Entrance Examination — Social Studies Exam

The Tokyo Metropolitan Public High School Entrance Examination in Social Studies (社会) tests lower-secondary graduates on geography, history and civics. The general academic test (学力検査) is 共通問題 (a metropolitan-wide common paper) covering five subjects each worth 100 points (total 500, scaled ×1.4 to 700), each sat for 50 minutes on one day; for 令和8年度 (2026 admission) the 第一次募集 is 2月21日(土) with 合格者発表 on 3月2日(月). The 社会 共通問題 paper combines a mark-sheet (マークシート) section with 記述式 (constructed-response) questions that require source interpretation and short written explanations, so it is not a pure multiple-choice paper; 社会 is always 共通問題 (no school sets 自校作成問題 for it). Selection combines the scaled 学力検査 (700), the 調査書 (300, ratio 7:3) and the ESAT-J English speaking test (up to 20) for a 総合得点 of 1,020, with some schools applying 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, including reading maps and data, placing events in time, and interpreting sources.

Assessment

100-point paper aligned to the MEXT 社会 Course of Study, covering 地理 (35%), 歴史 (35%) and 公民 (30%). The 共通問題 paper mixes a mark-sheet (マークシート) section with 記述式 answers that earn partial credit; 社会 is always 共通問題 (no school sets 自校作成問題 for it). The five academic-test subjects each carry 100 points (max 500, scaled ×1.4 to 700), all sat on one day as 共通問題; every subject runs 50 minutes. Problems are at junior-high graduation level (中学校卒業程度). The paper tests 知識・技能 plus 思考力・判断力・表現力, including reading maps and data, placing events in time, and interpreting sources.

Time Limit

Sat as part of the one-day five-subject 学力検査: each subject is a 100-point, 50-minute paper (500 points total, scaled to 700). For 令和8年度 (2026 admission) the 学力検査に基づく選抜 (第一次募集) is 2月21日(土), with 合格者発表 on 3月2日(月); the 推薦に基づく選抜 is 1月26日(月)・27日(火) and the 全日制第二次募集 / 追検査 is 3月10日(火). Source: 令和8年度東京都立高等学校入学者選抜実施要綱・同細目 / 日程, 東京都教育委員会.

Passing Score

No fixed prefecture-wide pass mark. The 社会 paper is scored out of 100 points. In the 学力検査に基づく選抜 the five subjects total 500 points and are scaled ×1.4 to 700; the 調査書 contributes 300 points (65-point junior-high 評定 expanded to 300, four practical subjects doubled) at a standard 7:3 ratio; the ESAT-J speaking test adds up to 20 for a 総合得点 of 1,020. Some schools apply 傾斜配点. Selection is competitive and relative, not against a published pass line. Source: 令和8年度東京都立高等学校入学者選抜実施要綱・同細目, 東京都教育委員会.

Exam Fee

The 入学考査料 is ¥2,200 for a 全日制 course and ¥950 for a 定時制 course, paid via the prescribed 納付書 at a Tokyo-designated financial institution (or by credit card on the internet-application site) with the receipt affixed to the 入学願書; it may be reduced or waived in cases of financial hardship. Source: 入学考査料、入学料及び授業料等の納付について (東京都教育委員会) and 令和8年度東京都立高等学校入学者選抜実施要綱・同細目. (Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education (東京都教育委員会), 教育庁都立学校教育部高等学校教育課入学選抜担当, 〒163-8001 東京都新宿区西新宿2-8-1 都庁第二本庁舎 (TEL 03-5320-6745))

Tokyo Metropolitan Public High School Entrance Examination — Social Studies Exam Content Outline

35%

Geography (地理)

Japan and the world's regions, climate and industry, the use of maps and globes, GIS and spatial information, vegetation and land use, and population and settlement.

35%

History (歴史)

Japanese history from ancient times to the modern era, key political and cultural turning points, and connections to world history and the present.

30%

Civics (公民)

The Constitution of Japan, the structure and function of national and local government, rights and duties, democratic politics, and the economy and international society.

How to Pass the Tokyo Metropolitan 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 100 points. In the 学力検査に基づく選抜 the five subjects total 500 points and are scaled ×1.4 to 700; the 調査書 contributes 300 points (65-point junior-high 評定 expanded to 300, four practical subjects doubled) at a standard 7:3 ratio; the ESAT-J speaking test adds up to 20 for a 総合得点 of 1,020. Some schools apply 傾斜配点. Selection is competitive and relative, not against a published pass line. Source: 令和8年度東京都立高等学校入学者選抜実施要綱・同細目, 東京都教育委員会.
  • Assessment: 100-point paper aligned to the MEXT 社会 Course of Study, covering 地理 (35%), 歴史 (35%) and 公民 (30%). The 共通問題 paper mixes a mark-sheet (マークシート) section with 記述式 answers that earn partial credit; 社会 is always 共通問題 (no school sets 自校作成問題 for it). The five academic-test subjects each carry 100 points (max 500, scaled ×1.4 to 700), all sat on one day as 共通問題; every subject runs 50 minutes. Problems are at junior-high graduation level (中学校卒業程度). The paper tests 知識・技能 plus 思考力・判断力・表現力, including reading maps and data, placing events in time, and interpreting sources.
  • Time limit: Sat as part of the one-day five-subject 学力検査: each subject is a 100-point, 50-minute paper (500 points total, scaled to 700). For 令和8年度 (2026 admission) the 学力検査に基づく選抜 (第一次募集) is 2月21日(土), with 合格者発表 on 3月2日(月); the 推薦に基づく選抜 is 1月26日(月)・27日(火) and the 全日制第二次募集 / 追検査 is 3月10日(火). Source: 令和8年度東京都立高等学校入学者選抜実施要綱・同細目 / 日程, 東京都教育委員会.
  • Exam fee: The 入学考査料 is ¥2,200 for a 全日制 course and ¥950 for a 定時制 course, paid via the prescribed 納付書 at a Tokyo-designated financial institution (or by credit card on the internet-application site) with the receipt affixed to the 入学願書; it may be reduced or waived in cases of financial hardship. Source: 入学考査料、入学料及び授業料等の納付について (東京都教育委員会) and 令和8年度東京都立高等学校入学者選抜実施要綱・同細目.

Keys to Passing

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

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

1Build a single timeline of Japanese history from ancient to modern and anchor each turning point (e.g. 明治維新 1868, 日本国憲法 1947) to it, because 歴史 items reward chronological reasoning over rote dates.
2For 地理, practise reading maps, distribution graphs and GIS-style spatial data quickly; know Japan's regional divisions and how climate, industry and population connect.
3For 公民, memorise the structure of national and local government and the key principles of the 日本国憲法 (国民主権, 基本的人権の尊重, 平和主義) and practise applying 三権分立 to concrete cases.
4Practise source-interpretation 記述式 questions: read the document, identify what it claims, then explain it using the relevant historical or civic context — the official paper rewards structured explanation, not just the right conclusion.
5Cross-link 歴史 and 地理 (e.g. why a resource shaped a region's industry) because Tokyo items increasingly test multi-domain reasoning.
6Practise the mark-sheet (マークシート) format alongside 記述式 working — Tokyo's 共通問題 uses both — and time yourself on a full 50-minute paper.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. The official paper is worked in Japanese and combines a mark-sheet (マークシート) section with 記述式 (constructed-response) questions that require source interpretation and short written explanations; its exact item count is not published. This bank is an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation of the same junior-high social-studies syllabus (地理, 歴史, 公民) and cannot replace writing source-based explanations in Japanese.

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

It is scored out of 100 points, one of five subjects totalling 500 points (each subject 100 points), scaled ×1.4 to 700 in the general selection. 社会 runs 50 minutes on 令和8年2月21日(土), with 合格者発表 on 3月2日(月); the 推薦 selection is 1月26日・27日 and the 第二次募集 / 追検査 is 3月10日(火).

Does any school set its own 社会 paper?

No. 社会 and 理科 are always 共通問題 (metropolitan-wide common papers); only 国語・数学・英語 have 自校作成問題 at ten 全日制 schools. So the 社会 syllabus in this bank is the exact syllabus every Tokyo candidate sits.

How is the selection structured?

Tokyo's 学力検査に基づく選抜 combines the scaled 学力検査 (700) with the 調査書 (300, 7:3 ratio) and the ESAT-J English speaking test (up to 20) for a 総合得点 of 1,020; some schools apply 傾斜配点 and a few conduct 面接, 作文, 小論文 or 実技検査. Selection is relative to other applicants, not against a published pass line.

What does the 公民 (civics) section cover?

公民 covers the Constitution of Japan (日本国憲法), the structure and function of national and local government, rights and duties, democratic politics centred on the 国会, and the economy and international society — all at the MEXT 平成29年 中学校学習指導要領 社会編 level.

How much is the examination fee?

The 入学考査料 is ¥2,200 for a 全日制 course (¥950 for 定時制), paid via the prescribed 納付書 at a Tokyo-designated financial institution or by credit card on the internet-application site; it may be reduced or waived in cases of financial hardship.