AP Japanese Language Unit 6 practice questions
Try 10 multiple-choice questions from Unit 6 here. Pick an answer to see why it's right or wrong, then take the timed test above for a full AP-style set.
Question 1
Source:2024年11月15日付『日本経済新聞』より改編
日本の大手電機メーカーが、世界初の完全自動運転バスの実用化に成功した。このバスは人工知能を搭載し、センサーとカメラで周囲の状況を瞬時に判断する。運転手が不要なため、人手不足に悩む地方の公共交通機関での活用が期待されている。
開発チームのリーダーである田中博士は、「高齢化が進む地域では、バスの運転手を確保することが難しくなっています。この技術により、交通の便が悪い地域でも、住民が安心して移動できる環境を作りたい」と語った。
実証実験は昨年から静岡県の山間部で行われ、約5000キロメートルの走行で事故はゼロだった。バスは時速40キロメートル以下で走行し、歩行者や障害物を検知すると自動的に停止する。また、天候が悪い時は運行を中止する安全システムも備えている。
来年春から、全国10か所の過疎地域で本格的な運用が始まる予定だ。利用料金は通常のバスと同じで、スマートフォンのアプリで予約できる。政府も地方創生の一環として、この事業を支援している。専門家は、「技術革新が地域社会の課題解決につながる良い例だ」と評価している。
Where was the demonstration test conducted?
In the mountainous area of Shizuoka Prefecture
On roads in Tokyo
At 10 locations nationwide
In public transportation systems in depopulated areas
Show answer
Answer: (A)
This question checks literal comprehension of where the field trial took place: students must distinguish the trial’s actual location (a mountainous area in Shizuoka) from other places mentioned for different purposes.
Question 2
Read the following excerpt from a Japanese news article about childcare policies: 「厚生労働省の調査によると、男性の育児休業取得率は2012年の約2％から2022年には約17％へと大幅に上昇しました。しかし、政府が目標とする50％にはまだ届いていません。」 What trend is explicitly identified in this excerpt?
The rate of men taking childcare leave has increased significantly but remains below the government's target.
The rate of women taking childcare leave has increased significantly but remains below the government's target.
The rate of men taking childcare leave has decreased significantly and remains below the government's target.
The rate of men taking childcare leave has increased significantly and has surpassed the government's target.
Show answer
Answer: (A)
The text states men's paternity leave rose dramatically from 2% to 17% but still hasn’t reached the 50% goal.
Question 3
An article discussing Japan's labor policies includes this observation: 「新しい在留資格『特定技能』の導入により、農業や介護の分野で働く外国人労働者の数は年々増加傾向にあります。一方で、建設分野での受け入れ人数は予想よりも伸び悩んでいます。」 What data trend is explicitly mentioned?
Foreign workers in agriculture and nursing care are increasing, while growth in the construction sector is slow.
Foreign workers in construction and nursing care are increasing, while growth in the agriculture sector is slow.
Foreign workers in agriculture and nursing care are decreasing, while growth in the construction sector is fast.
Japanese workers in agriculture and nursing care are increasing, while growth in the construction sector is slow.
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Answer: (A)
The passage contrasts sectors: jobs in agriculture and nursing care are increasing (増加傾向), while construction employment is stagnating (伸び悩んでいます).
Question 4
A summary of Tokyo's environmental planning states: 「東京都の環境白書によると、家庭部門における二酸化炭素の排出量は2015年から減少傾向にありますが、産業部門からの排出量は依然として横ばいの状態が続いており、大きな課題となっています。」 Which pattern is explicitly identified?
Carbon dioxide emissions from households are decreasing, but emissions from the industrial sector remain flat.
Carbon dioxide emissions from households are increasing, but emissions from the industrial sector remain flat.
Carbon dioxide emissions from households are decreasing, but emissions from the industrial sector are dropping.
Carbon dioxide emissions from industries are decreasing, but emissions from the household sector remain flat.
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Answer: (A)
The passage contrasts two sectors: household emissions are on a decreasing trend (減少傾向), while industrial emissions remain flat (横ばい).
Question 5
A Japanese businessperson explains a common communication challenge to an international colleague by paraphrasing a cultural concept: 「日本では、言葉で直接言わなくても、その場の雰囲気や相手の気持ちを察して行動することが求められます。」 Which cultural concept is being described?
The cultural expectation to infer unspoken intentions from the atmosphere
The traditional practice of expressing deep hospitality to foreign guests
The government strategy of promoting pop culture to international audiences
The formal linguistic system used to show respect to workplace superiors
Show answer
Answer: (A)
The phrase "その場の雰囲気" and the description of acting without explicit words point to the high-context idea of "reading the room" (空気を読む).
Question 6
A government official paraphrases a cultural diplomacy strategy to foreign journalists: 「アニメや漫画、和食などの魅力的な文化を海外に発信することで、世界中の人々に日本を好きになってもらう計画です。」 What initiative is the official describing?
A cultural diplomacy strategy utilizing media and food to build global appeal
A domestic economic policy aimed at increasing the production of local goods
A tourism initiative designed to bring international students to rural areas
A language education program focused on teaching Japanese to foreign workers
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Answer: (A)
Recognizing the description of using cultural exports to generate international goodwill. The quote explicitly mentions broadcasting anime, manga, and washoku overseas to make the world like Japan, defining the Cool Japan soft power strategy.
Question 7
A hotel manager explains their service philosophy to new international staff using circumlocution: 「お客様が何を必要としているかを、言われる前に予測して、見返りを求めずに心を込めてお世話をすることです。」 Which traditional concept is the manager expressing?
The philosophy of anticipating guest needs and providing selfless hospitality
The practice of using polite language to maintain appropriate social distance
The custom of giving seasonal gifts to express gratitude to business clients
The strategy of offering discounted services to attract international tourists
Show answer
Answer: (A)
The description of anticipating needs before being asked and without expecting anything in return matches the idea of "omotenashi"—selfless hospitality.
Question 8
A city hall employee paraphrases a new community initiative for non-native speakers: 「日本に住む外国人のために、役所の書類や生活のルールを、やさしい日本語や複数の外国語に翻訳して案内する取り組みです。」 What type of program is being described?
Providing multilingual administrative support for foreign residents in Japan
Organizing cultural exchange festivals to introduce traditional Japanese arts
Establishing specialized language schools for tourists visiting major cities
Creating international business networking events for multinational companies
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Answer: (A)
The quote mentions translating government paperwork (役所の書類) into multiple languages, indicating multilingual administrative support for foreign residents.
Question 9
Read the following comment from an elderly resident in a rural Japanese town: "「村のバス路線が廃止されると聞いて、本当に困っています。病院や買い物に行くための唯一の足だったのに、これからはどう生活すればいいのか不安でいっぱいです。」" Based on this statement, what is the resident's attitude toward the discontinuation of the bus line?
Deeply anxious because it removes their only means of accessing essential daily services.
Highly frustrated because it forces them to purchase an expensive private vehicle soon.
Mildly concerned because it increases the time needed to walk to the local supermarket.
Greatly relieved because it reduces the heavy traffic congestion near the town hospital.
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Answer: (A)
The resident says they are "full of anxiety" (不安でいっぱい) because the bus was their "only way" (唯一の足) to reach the hospital and stores, showing clear distress.
Question 10
Read the following description of a historical site:
「1872年に設立された富岡製糸場は、明治政府が日本の近代化を進めるために作った工場です。西洋の技術を取り入れ、高品質な生糸を生産しました。」
According to the text, what was the primary purpose of establishing this factory?
To advance the modernization of Japan
To preserve traditional techniques
To train new government officials
To compete with the Western markets
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Answer: (A)
The phrase 近代化を進めるため shows the government’s main historical goal for the factory was to advance modernization.
What's on the AP Japanese Language Unit 6 practice test
The standard version takes about 54 minutes and follows the timing and directions of the AP exam, sized to one unit:
- 20 Multiple Choice Questions (24 minutes)
- 1 FRQ – FRQ 3 – Story Narration (15 minutes)
- 1 FRQ – FRQ 4 – Email Response (15 minutes)
Questions are drawn from 493 multiple-choice questions and 40 FRQs written for Unit 6, Global Contexts.
Practice AP Japanese Language Unit 6 FRQs
Answer the unit's free-response questions one at a time and get a score on every part.
- FRQ 3 – Story Narration (20 questions)
- FRQ 4 – Email Response (20 questions)
Review Unit 6 before you start
- 6.1 Global Communication | 国際コミュニケーション
- 6.2 Natural World | 自然界
- 6.3 History | 歴史
- 6.4 Policy and Planning | 政策と計画
- 6.5 Transportation | 交通