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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. What does Ono say about the movie that insults Ichiro?

2. How does Ono view Shintaro's childlike attitude about the war?

3. On what basis do the Sugimura sisters select a buyer for their house?

4. Why does Ono enjoy Shintaro's company?

5. What does Ono advise Mrs. Kawakami to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Mrs. Kawakami hesitating to decide?

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

3. What is surprising about Noriko's comments to Setsuko about Ono?

4. What does Ono conceal from Noriko in the weeks leading up to her miai?

5. Why does Ono conceal his efforts on her behalf from Noriko during the weeks leading up to the miai?

6. Why does Enchi treat Ono in such a friendly way when he arrives to visit Kuroda?

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

8. Why does Ono decide to watch Mitsuo during the miai?

9. Why does Ono feel compelled to confess his activities during the war during the miai?

10. What prediction does Setsuko's mother make about her that is now proving accurate?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the miai, Saito suggests that boys should not be confined, but should be allowed to run free even when they hurt themselves. He uses this as an argument in support of the street demonstrations which he views as legitimate use of freedom of speech. The maturation of boys to men is a significant theme in this story. The men, from Matsuda arguing with his caregiver, Suzuki, to Ono's arguments with his daughters about Ichiro seeing a scary movie and drinking sake, argue for freedom and the women urge restraint and greater care. Using examples from the text, select one character and write about their maturation process. Ichiro, Kenji, Kuroda, or Ono himself would be good possibilities. Are these developing men symbols of their country as a whole? is it, as Taro Saito suggests, a baby democracy learning how to govern itself?

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

Moriyama said that the floating world disappears with dawn and sobriety. His work was to try to capture and validate the beauty of that world. But the phrase "floating world" means more. What else does the phrase represent? Why do you think Ishiguro chose it for the title?

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