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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. Why does Ono introduce Kenji into the conversation in Noriko's kitchen?

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

3. What does Matsuda's neighbor boy do each day?

4. What is the mood of Moriyama's paintings?

5. What is the last year covered in this story?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Matsuda say the smell of burning most likely means now that the war is long over?

2. What stylistic devices does Moriyama copy from the classic artist, Utamaro?

3. How does Ono console himself that he did not visit his old friend as often as he had intended to?

4. What has changed since 1948 in regards to Ono's painting?

5. Why is Ono irritated at Setsuko's insistence that Saito never heard of Ono until the miai?

6. When does Ono achieve his greatest feeling of triumph?

7. What does Ono say the New Japan proved about him and about Matsuda?

8. The reader learns some news about Noriko at the same time Matsuda does. What is the news?

9. What do we learn about Setsuko from Ono's conversation with Matsuda?

10. How has Ichiro changed in the year since Ono last saw him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Twice in the story, authority figures burned Ono's paintings. Compare the two situations. Did they have the same purpose? Were they trying to help the young man or hurt him? How do you know? Use textual evidence to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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