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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the storyteller say frightens horses across the region?
(a) White Smoke.
(b) Yellow Dust.
(c) Orange Dust.
(d) Green Smoke.

2. How did Akutagawa's brother-in-law kill himself?
(a) He jumped off a bridge.
(b) He hung himself.
(c) He threw himself in front of a train.
(d) He slit his throat.

3. Who punishes Shinsuke for being smart?
(a) His school friends.
(b) His teachers.
(c) His parents.
(d) His siblings.

4. What is the title of the final story?
(a) The Question of Art.
(b) Give Me your Hat.
(c) Is it Worth it?
(d) The Life of a Stupid Man.

5. What does the narrator's father try to bribe the narrator with?
(a) Ice cream.
(b) Women.
(c) Sweets.
(d) Money.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does the author say he has to stop the story?

2. What does the narrator say he does during his mother's funeral?

3. What kind of milk was Shinsuke raised on?

4. Who congratulates Yasukichi for his eulogy?

5. What is Shinsuke's primary factor in determining whether someone is his friend?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the author end the story?

2. Summarize the Spinning Gears story.

3. What is the life of the Stupid Man about?

4. What does the narrator remember about his eldest sister?

5. Why does the storyteller think Oshino is so ordinary?

6. What are Shinsuke's views on beauty?

7. Why does Oshino need new legs?

8. What does the narrator remember about his father?

9. Why does Akutagawa become so upset about the raincoat?

10. What does the Life of the Stupid Man say about Akutagawa's state of mind?

(see the answer keys)

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