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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 question does Setsuko's husband, Suichi, persist in asking?

2. How does Kuroda's student, Enchi, change his attitude during Ono's visit?

3. What does Ono believe is more shameful than one's past mistakes?

4. What has changed in the city between 1948 and 1949?

5. How does Ichiro respond to Setsuko's requests for him to settle down?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Noriko accuse Ono of when he is working in the garden?

2. How does Taro behave during the miai?

3. Why is Ono worried about Kuroda's attitude now?

4. Suichi says that American heroes are better role models for his son that Japanese heroes. Why would that be?

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

6. Why is it unlikely that the Miyakes withdrew from marriage negotiations because they felt inferior?

7. How does Mr. Yamagata thank Ono for his support of the Migi-Hidari?

8. How does Saito regard the demonstrations in the streets?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Naguchi is a character we never meet directly. Ono explains the musician's suicide to his grandson, Ichiro. There are some differences between this conversation and the opinions Ono expresses when Miyake tells Ono that his employer committed suicide and that Miyake finds the action admirable. Has Ono changed? If so, what has changed him?

Essay Topic 2

There are several places in this story where a character's speech does not reflect their actual opinions. Setsuko's conversations with her father are examples. Select and analyze a scene where you are able to establish that what is being said is not genuine. How do you know? How is the writer able to convey that double message to you as a reader?

Essay Topic 3

We meet Taro Saito only briefly in this story, and yet Ishiguro establishes a clear personality for him through his actions and conversation. What do you know about Taro? How do you learn it? Analyze this character based on the information you have.

(see the answer keys)

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