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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When Ono and Matsuda examine their lives, what do they see, according to Matsuda?
(a) They were flawless.
(b) They were valiant.
(c) They were flawed.
(d) They were fascinating.

2. What does Moriyama wish to accomplish with his students?
(a) To spread their art throughout the world.
(b) To spread their art throughout Japan.
(c) To change painting in their city to conform to his idea of style.
(d) To change modern art in Europe.

3. Why does Ono quit painting for such a long time?
(a) He was disillusioned.
(b) He felt he was untalented.
(c) He had been forbidden to paint.
(d) He had lost his touch.

4. What goal had Ono and Matsuda shared in the old days?
(a) Making a grand contribution to the war effort.
(b) Teaching the artists of tomorrow.
(c) Becoming world famous artists.
(d) Finding perfect wives.

5. What is the "floating world"?
(a) The water lilies in the palace courtyard.
(b) The changing political landscape of Japan.
(c) The life of beachcombers and fishermen.
(d) The world of nighttime entertainment and drink.

6. What qualities does Ono claim he shared with Matsuda when they were younger?
(a) Creativity and inspiration.
(b) Energy and courage.
(c) Empathy and kindness.
(d) Vision and hope.

7. Why had Matsuda called Ono naive in the old days?
(a) He had no interest in politics.
(b) His perspective as an artist was narrow.
(c) He had no understanding of politics.
(d) His worldview was too broad.

8. What does Matsuda say the world sees when they look at Ono and Matsuda now that the war is behind them?
(a) Two traitors to their country.
(b) Two old men with sticks.
(c) Two failed imperialists.
(d) Two instigators of a war.

9. How often does Ono visit Matsuda after re-establishing contact with him?
(a) Every day.
(b) Once a month.
(c) Once a week.
(d) Just once.

10. Why does Moriyama declare himself unsatisfied with his early work?
(a) He had been unskilled about the floating world.
(b) He had felt guilty about the pleasures of the floating world.
(c) He had been unable to capture the essence of the floating world.
(d) He had been caught in the pleasures of the floating world.

11. Why had Moriyama been happy with his work looking back on it as an old man?
(a) He had devoted his life to nurturing young talent.
(b) He had devoted his life to repudiating debauchery.
(c) He had devoted his life to changing with modernizing trends.
(d) He had devoted his life to capturing a unique beauty.

12. Why does Matsuda envy Ono?
(a) Ono's work is more admired.
(b) Ono has better health.
(c) Ono is more handsome.
(d) Ono is wealthier.

13. How have the students behaved watching Moriyama paint?
(a) They asked him questions as he worked.
(b) They spoke as though he were not present.
(c) They told him they thought his painting was marvelous.
(d) They wrote critiques of each painting.

14. What is the common subject of Moriyama's paintings?
(a) Women.
(b) Flowers.
(c) Children.
(d) The sea.

15. What is always somewhere in a Moriyama painting?
(a) A mountain.
(b) A teapot.
(c) A lotus.
(d) A lantern.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Ichiro say spinach is his favorite food?

2. When he learns there will be sake at dinner, what makes Ichiro laugh?

3. Who dies in June, 1950?

4. Why does the smell of burning make Ono uneasy?

5. Why is Ono surprised at Setsuko's view of Noriko's marriage negotiation?

(see the answer keys)

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