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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 did Kazu do at the 49th day mourning ceremony, which he did not typically do?
(a) He drank too much sake.
(b) He made a speech.
(c) He comforted the chief mourner.
(d) He cried.

2. Why did Kazu not want Shige to tell him what he had done to hurt his family?
(a) Kazu felt he would then have to share his story with Shige.
(b) Kazu feared if Shige confessed a crime he will have to kill Kazu.
(c) Kazu did not care about Shige.
(d) Kazu was afraid he might have to turn Shige in to the police.

3. What does the jogger Kazu sees thank God for in his note at the temple?
(a) He thanks God for his father's speedy recovery.
(b) He thanks God for his good health.
(c) He thanks God that he finished the marathon.
(d) He thanks God he met his wife.

4. What monument did Shige tell Kazu was initially meant to be placed near the Imperial Palace but was deemed indecent?
(a) Statue of Times Forgotten.
(b) The grave of Shogitai.
(c) The statue of Saigo Takmori.
(d) The Giant Buddha.

5. What had Setsuko told Kazu not long before her death?
(a) She knew she would die while the cicadas were singing.
(b) She felt sick and should see a doctor.
(c) She felt she had lived a full life and it was time to move on.
(d) She did not want to die before he did.

Short Answer Questions

1. How much was the homeless man Kazu listens to making in his profession before the bubble burst and his company went under?

2. How did Setsuko's brother describe Kazu and his sister's final years together?

3. How often did Kazu's daughter Yoko's family visit after Kazu returns home?

4. Kazu walked the earth around Shino-bazu Pond the last time he had to evacuate Ueno Park and recalled what of the Pond's history?

5. How many years after Kazu's son died did he begin going to the cabaret?

Short Essay Questions

1. What artist is on exhibit near the Ueno station? Describe his work.

2. Why were the homeless often evacuated from Ueno Park and where would they go?

3. What is the Shogitai grave?

4. Who does Kazu meet at Shinsekai? Describe their relationship.

5. How did Kazu respond to the gift Yoko and Setsuko had given him for his 60th birthday and why?

6. Where is the art exhibit Kazu observes and how are the old women in the gift shop described?

7. Describe the conversation Kazu overhears between two homeless men, one of whom had worked in real estate.

8. What does Kazu see in Ueno Park just about 30 minutes after the homeless were to have all their things out?

9. What did Kazu think would happen to him after he died? What happened instead?

10. What happens to Setsuko seven years after Kazu returned home, and why does he blame himself?

(see the answer keys)

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