View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Shintaro not confide to Ono?

2. What does Shintaro paint now that the war is over?

3. What does the corporation offer Mrs. Kawakami?

4. Why does Mrs. Kawakami want Ono's advice about the corporation's offer?

5. According to Suichi, Ichiro's father, why does Ono quit painting?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the likely reason for Miyake's sudden withdrawal from the marriage negotiations?

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

3. Why does Suichi become angry at Kenji's funeral ceremony?

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

5. Ono says that he would not have made his admission of guilt at the miai had he not felt compelled to do so. What social situation compelled him?

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

7. How does the Bridge of Hesitation get its name?

8. Why does Ono say he would never forgive himself if he became like his father?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ono expresses the belief that his confession of guilt about his war activities rescued the miai from discomfort, and made relaxed social interaction possible. Do you think other characters would have the same opinion? Would things look different from another perspective? Tell the story of the miai from Noriko's point of view.

Essay Topic 2

Ono recalls a rumor that Sugimura built a long corridor in his house to distance himself from his parents. Analyze Ono's relationship with his own father and with his two mentors, Takeda and Moriyama. Consider also that his daughters have moved at a distance from him, visiting only once a year. What do you think Ishiguro is telling his readers about parent-child relationships? Do you agree with his ideas?

Essay Topic 3

The Bridge of Hesitation is an important symbol in this story and Ono says that he spends a great deal of time there. What does the bridge represent? Are there various possible meanings? Consider the fact that in the midst of the destruction of much of the area, the bridge remained.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 768 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample