VIENID Start practicing

Home › Sample questions › Construction (SSW 2)

Construction (SSW 2) sample exam questions – 10 questions with answers

建設分野（2号）

10 sample questions in the real exam format, with furigana, English translation, answers and explanations. Tap "Show answer" under each question. For the full question bank and realistic mock exams, open the free app.

Question 1

In the 'PM Theory' of leadership required of a foreman at a construction site, which action corresponds to the P function (Performance / goal achievement function)?

  1. A.
    Clearly showing work procedures and giving instructions toward achieving quality and schedule goals.
  2. B.
    Carefully listening to subordinates' concerns and opinions to maintain good interpersonal relationships in the workplace.
  3. C.
    Increasing solidarity and harmony within the team through communication and encouragement.
  4. D.
    Easing conflicts between skilled workers and creating a workplace atmosphere where it is easy to consult.
Show answer

Correct answer: A

In the PM theory of leadership required of a foreman (職長), the P function (Performance / 目標達成機能) is the goal achievement function achieved by setting plans, giving clear instructions on work procedures, and managing quality and schedules. Actions that care for interpersonal relationships, encourage team members, and maintain a harmonious workplace atmosphere belong to the M function (Maintenance / 集団維持機能). (Textbook: JAC 職長テキスト 第1章)

WordMeaning
Foreman, team leader
Goal achievement function (P function)
Group maintenance function (M function)

Question 2

Among the 'Seven QC Tools' used in quality control, which diagram represents the number of defects or nonconformities by item as a bar graph and the cumulative ratio as a line graph to narrow down critical problems?

  1. A.
    A scatter diagram that examines the correlation between two paired sets of data through the distribution of points
  2. B.
    A cause-and-effect diagram that organizes how various causes relate to a specific result
  3. C.
    A Pareto chart that arranges defect items in order of frequency to narrow down priority targets
  4. D.
    A histogram that represents the variation and distribution shape of measured values using a column graph
Show answer

Correct answer: C

A Pareto chart (パレート図) combines a bar graph showing the number of defects by item in descending order with a line graph showing the cumulative ratio (累積比率), making it possible to identify which priority items need improvement first. A cause-and-effect diagram (特性要因図) organizes relationships between causes and effects, a scatter diagram (散布図) examines correlation between paired variables, and a histogram (ヒストグラム) displays data distribution. (Textbook: JAC 職長テキスト 第2章)

WordMeaning
Pareto chart
Cause-and-effect diagram (fishbone diagram)
Cumulative ratio

Question 3

Under Article 60 of the Industrial Safety and Health Act, which of the following is NOT included among the statutory items of safety and health education to be provided to a newly appointed foreman?

  1. A.
    Matters concerning the determination of work methods and the proper placement of workers.
  2. B.
    Matters concerning methods of guiding or supervising workers at the site.
  3. C.
    Matters concerning the investigation of hazards or harmfulness and measures based on the results.
  4. D.
    Matters concerning procedures for construction business license applications and business evaluation reviews.
Show answer

Correct answer: D

Under Article 60 of the Industrial Safety and Health Act (労働安全衛生法), safety and health education for a newly appointed foreman (職長) covers determining work methods and proper placement (適正な配置) of workers, methods of guiding and supervising workers, investigating hazards (危険性) or harmfulness in risk assessment, and handling abnormalities. Procedures for construction business licenses and business management evaluations fall under the Construction Business Act for business operators, not foreman training. (Textbook: JAC 職長テキスト 第3章)

WordMeaning
Industrial Safety and Health Act
Proper placement of personnel
Hazard, risk

Question 4

Under the Construction Business Act, when a special construction contractor who contracted construction work directly from a client enters into subcontracts totaling 45 million yen or more (70 million yen or more for complete architectural work), which engineer must they assign to the site?

  1. A.
    A safety and health promoter appointed to prevent industrial accidents at the site
  2. B.
    A managing engineer who handles overall construction planning, guidance, and supervision including subcontractors
  3. C.
    A building official who performs building confirmation reviews and completion inspections
  4. D.
    An operations chief who directly directs hazardous work such as scaffolding or shoring
Show answer

Correct answer: B

Under the Construction Business Act, when a special construction contractor (特定建設業者) awards subcontracts (下請契約) totaling 45 million yen or more (70 million yen or more for architectural work), they must assign a managing engineer (監理技術者) instead of a chief engineer (主任技術者) to manage technical matters and supervise subcontractors. Safety and health promoters and operations chiefs fall under the Industrial Safety and Health Act, while building officials fall under the Building Standards Act. (Textbook: JAC 学科テキスト 第1章)

WordMeaning
Special construction contractor
Managing engineer (Kanri Gijutsusha)
Subcontract

Question 5

Among the structures that protect buildings from earthquake shaking, which construction method installs devices such as isolators and dampers in the building's foundation to make it difficult for earthquake energy to be transmitted to the building?

  1. A.
    Earthquake-resistant structure that builds columns, beams, and load-bearing walls thick and sturdy to withstand shaking
  2. B.
    Vibration-control structure that incorporates energy-absorbing mechanisms into the building's frame
  3. C.
    Base-isolated structure that sandwiches devices such as laminated rubber bearings between the foundation and superstructure
  4. D.
    Rigid structure that places diagonal braces and structural plywood inside walls to prevent deformation
Show answer

Correct answer: C

A base-isolated structure (免震構造) installs isolators (such as laminated rubber bearings) and dampers between the foundation and superstructure to absorb and isolate seismic energy so shaking is hard to transmit into the building. An earthquake-resistant structure (耐震構造) strengthens columns and walls to endure shaking directly, while a vibration-control structure (制振構造) places dampers inside the structural frame to absorb vibration energy. (Textbook: JAC 学科テキスト 第3章)

WordMeaning
Base-isolated structure
Vibration-control structure
Earthquake-resistant structure

Question 6

Among erection methods in structural steel work, what is the name of the method that uses a mobile crane to assemble the steel frame sequentially from the back of the site toward the front?

  1. A.
    Retreating erection method that assembles progressively from the back toward the front using a mobile crane
  2. B.
    Horizontal tier erection method that uses a tower crane to assemble one floor at a time from the bottom up
  3. C.
    Lift-up method that assembles the roof frame on the ground and raises it using hydraulic jacks
  4. D.
    Bracket method that welds column-and-beam joints at a factory before transporting them to the site
Show answer

Correct answer: A

The retreating erection method (建て逃げ方式) uses a mobile crane (移動式クレーン) positioned on the ground to erect steel frames sequentially from the deepest part of the site while retreating toward the exit. By contrast, high-rise buildings typically use a tower crane to erect one floor at a time via the horizontal tier erection method (水平積上げ方式), while the lift-up method raises roof frames assembled on the ground. (Textbook: JAC 学科テキスト 第4章)

Among erection methods in structural steel work, what is the name of the method that uses
WordMeaning
Retreating erection method (Tatenige)
Horizontal tier erection method
Mobile crane

Question 7

Among components used in formwork, which rod-shaped steel component is passed through the inside of the formwork with plastic cones (P-cones) attached to both ends to keep the distance between facing sheathing boards (the concrete wall thickness) constant?

  1. A.
    A form tie that clamps and tightens single pipes on the outside of the formwork
  2. B.
    A round separator that maintains a constant distance between facing formwork panels
  3. C.
    A pipe support that vertically supports beam-bottom and slab formwork from below
  4. D.
    A chamfer strip nailed to the formwork to bevel the external corners of the concrete
Show answer

Correct answer: B

A round separator (丸セパレーター) is placed between facing sheathing boards (せき板) with P-cones attached to both ends to keep the concrete wall thickness accurate and resist lateral pressure. A form tie (フォームタイ) fastens pipes on the exterior of the formwork, a pipe support props up slab and beam formwork from underneath, and a chamfer strip creates beveled corners. (Textbook: JAC 実技テキスト 第5章 5.1)

Among components used in formwork, which rod-shaped steel component is passed through the
WordMeaning
Round separator (formwork spacer rod)
Form tie
Sheathing board (formwork panel)

Question 8

In layout marking work by construction carpenters, what is the wooden tool shown in the figure mainly used for?

In layout marking work by construction carpenters, what is the wooden tool shown in the fi
  1. A.
    A plumb bob that hangs a cone-shaped weight on a string along a column or formwork to check verticality
  2. B.
    A spirit level that checks the horizontality of a member by observing the bubble position in a vial
  3. C.
    A slump scale that measures the height difference of concrete after lifting the slump cone
  4. D.
    A large carpenter's square (Oogane) made by assembling timber in a 3:4:5 ratio to establish right angles on-site
Show answer

Correct answer: D

The illustration shows a large wooden carpenter's triangle square (ōgane) built with a 3:4:5 side ratio. A large carpenter's square (おおがね) is a large right-triangle gauge built on-site from timber using the 3:4:5 side ratio (サシゴ) based on the Pythagorean theorem to establish accurate right angles (直角) over wide areas. A plumb bob (下げ振り) checks verticality, a spirit level checks horizontality, and a slump scale measures concrete slump. (Textbook: JAC 実技テキスト 第5章 5.3)

WordMeaning
Large square (Oogane)
Plumb bob
Right angle (90 degrees)

Question 9

Which of the following is correct quality control for the reinforcing bar splicing work shown in the figure?

Which of the following is correct quality control for the reinforcing bar splicing work sh
  1. A.
    To prevent oxidation, the end faces of the rebars are cut flat with a cold right-angle cutting machine on the day of pressure welding.
  2. B.
    The end faces of the rebars are cut with a gas torch at least 3 days before joining, coated with anti-rust oil, and fixed in place.
  3. C.
    The heating range is set to half the rebar diameter at about 12 mm, and the joint bulge is kept to 1.1 times the rebar diameter.
  4. D.
    In visual inspection, the acceptance standard is that the eccentricity of the axis is no more than half the rebar diameter.
Show answer

Correct answer: A

The illustration shows gas pressure welding of reinforcing bars, heating the butted bar ends with an oxy-acetylene ring burner under hydraulic pressure to form a symmetrical bulge. In a gas pressure welded joint (ガス圧接継手), rebar end faces (端面) oxidize easily and must be free of water or oil, so they must be cut flat and perpendicular using a cold right-angle cutting machine (冷間直角切断機) on the day of welding (or the day before if properly protected, never wetted). Furthermore, the heating width should be roughly twice the rebar diameter, the bulge diameter must be at least 1.4 times the rebar diameter, and axial eccentricity must not exceed 1/5 of the rebar diameter. (Textbook: JAC 実技テキスト 第6章 6.2)

WordMeaning
Gas pressure welded rebar joint
Cold right-angle cutting machine
End face (of a rebar)

Question 10

As part of the 'Safety Construction Cycle' carried out daily at a construction site, which activity takes place before starting work, where the foreman and workers gather near the work location to confirm the day's work procedures and hazardous points together?

  1. A.
    Tidying up and cleaning inside the site carried out after the day's work has ended
  2. B.
    A safety and schedule coordination meeting held before the lunch break where the prime contractor and foremen gather
  3. C.
    Hazard prediction (KY) activities conducted in small groups by trade after the all-hands morning safety assembly
  4. D.
    An end-of-shift report at departure to inform the prime contractor's representative about fire safety and locking up
Show answer

Correct answer: C

In the daily Safety Construction Cycle (安全施工サイクル), immediately after the all-hands morning safety assembly (安全朝礼) and before starting work, each trade forms a small group with the foreman near the work area to hold a toolbox meeting and conduct hazard prediction activities (危険予知活動 / KY) to confirm procedures and safety measures. Cleaning, coordination meetings, and end-of-shift reports occur at different times of the day. (Textbook: JAC 実技テキスト 第7章 7.2)

As part of the 'Safety Construction Cycle' carried out daily at a construction site, which
WordMeaning
Safety construction cycle
Hazard prediction activity (KY)
Morning safety assembly
Practice the full question bank and mock exams in the app

Lessons: Construction (SSW 2)