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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why is Setsuko uncomfortable with Noriko's talk about Ono?

2. How does Kuroda's student, Enchi, change his attitude during Ono's visit?

3. Why is Ono considered as a potential buyer for the Sugimura house?

4. Why is Ono angry with Shintaro?

5. What had the wandering priest warned Ono's parents about him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Mrs. Kawakami hesitating to decide?

2. After the surrender, one of the Sugimura sisters visits the house, obviously more concerned about the building than its inhabitants. Why doesn't Ono feel angry toward her?

3. How does Saito regard the demonstrations in the streets?

4. How does Mr. Yamagata thank Ono for his support of the Migi-Hidari?

5. Why does Ono's father burn his paintings?

6. Why is it unlikely that the Miyakes withdrew from marriage negotiations because they felt inferior?

7. Why didn't Ono object to Noriko's marriage into a family that was below their station?

8. Why does Enchi ask Ono to leave when he learns who he really is?

9. How does Ono acquire his house for less than half its value?

10. How does the Bridge of Hesitation get its name?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ono recalls a rumor that Sugimura built a long corridor in his house to distance himself from his parents. Analyze Ono's relationship with his own father and with his two mentors, Takeda and Moriyama. Consider also that his daughters have moved at a distance from him, visiting only once a year. What do you think Ishiguro is telling his readers about parent-child relationships? Do you agree with his ideas?

Essay Topic 2

We learn about Suichi's character through what he instructs Setsuko, what he wants for Ichiro, and the way he behaves when Kenji's ashes are brought home. Describe this young man based on textual evidence. Ono expresses the belief that Suichi has been "embittered." What embittered him?

Essay Topic 3

What do you make of the fact that Ono's paintings are not on display even in his own home, and that he will not show them even to his own grandson? What does it tell you that Ono will not draw or paint with Ichiro, although he encourages the boy to draw? What does it tell you that at the end of the story he tells Matsuda that he is painting again? Analyze what Ono's art work means to him in the context of these facts.

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