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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What honor had Ono received in 1938?
(a) The Nobel Prize.
(b) A commission from the emperor.
(c) A statue in his honor in the city park.
(d) The Shigeta Foundation Award.

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

3. What is the mood of Moriyama's paintings?
(a) Melancholy and nocturnal.
(b) Black and depressed.
(c) Cheerful and multicolored.
(d) Bright and sunny.

4. Why does Ono introduce Kenji into the conversation in Noriko's kitchen?
(a) He feels outnumbered by women.
(b) He suddenly recalls his son's death.
(c) His son, had he been present, would have taken his side.
(d) He had argued with his wife about giving Kenji sake at the same age.

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

6. How does Ono feel about the future of Japan?
(a) The best times are behind them.
(b) The destruction will never be forgotten.
(c) Their world is permanently ruined.
(d) There is a chance to make a better go of things.

7. What famous Japanese artist does Moriyama emulate?
(a) Kirukama.
(b) Narita.
(c) Utamaro.
(d) Fujiyama.

8. Why does Matsuda think the two men should not blame themselves for their earlier actions?
(a) They were too young to understand forces around them.
(b) They acted on their beliefs and did their utmost.
(c) They were fooled by charlatans.
(d) Their actions had produced good results.

9. What traits does Ono observe that Ichiro has inherited from his mother?
(a) Mannerisms and little facial habits.
(b) Courtesies.
(c) Ways of speaking.
(d) His height and facial features.

10. Why does the songwriter Naguchi commit suicide?
(a) No one had appreciated his music.
(b) He had a terminal illness.
(c) His songs had been used to promote war.
(d) His songs had been misunderstood.

11. Why does Ono believe that the Tortoise or Shintaro will never feel the sort of happiness he felt sitting on the hillside?
(a) They did not have the talent.
(b) They were prone to complain.
(c) They were not skilled enough craftsmen.
(d) They did not risk everything in an attempt to be extraordinary.

12. How does Moriyama respond to his students' comments about his painting?
(a) He expanded their points of view.
(b) He explained his intentions.
(c) He corrected their errors.
(d) He listened, but did not respond.

13. When he learns there will be sake at dinner, what makes Ichiro laugh?
(a) His aunt Noriko might get drunk.
(b) His grandfather Ono might get drunk.
(c) Ichiro might get drunk.
(d) His father might get drunk.

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

15. When does Ono feel the sense of triumph he had hoped for?
(a) Confronting Moriyama at his villa.
(b) When his family gave him a surprise party.
(c) Receiving the praise of his students.
(d) Sitting on a hill all alone, eating oranges.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Ono believe his own mannerisms come from?

2. Why doesn't Miss Suzuki want Matsuda to feed his fish?

3. Why had Moriyama been happy with his work looking back on it as an old man?

4. What does Ono say during lunch that frightens Ichiro?

5. What does Ono say during his last conversation with Matsuda about his present-day perspective on life?

(see the answer keys)

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