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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. Which of Sugimura's plans does Ono believe is "eccentric"?

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

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

4. How does Ono find his old friend upon his second visit?

5. How have the students behaved watching Moriyama paint?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Years ago, Matsuda had accused Ono of having a narrow artist's perspective. What does Ono say about his perspective now that he is retired?

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

4. How does Ono believe a teacher should regard his students diverging from his teachings?

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

6. What does Matsuda believe was his and Ono's great misfortune?

7. Ono recalls the influence of Moriyama on his own behavior. What does he say he adopted from his teacher?

8. How does Ono answer Ichiro's question about why men drink sake?

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

10. What does Matsuda say about his own perspective now that he is old and ill?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ishguro uses political diction when describing the art world. When a student artist went against his teacher's style, he was called a "traitor," and his work an act of "treachery." Such students were banished from the fellowship of their fellow artists. What does this type of language tell you about the social or political world in which Ono lived? Is art important for political purposes?

Essay Topic 2

Young Miyake tells Ono what he believes is "the greatest cowardice of all." Later, Ono explains what he believes to be the greatest cowardice. Analyze the similarities and differences between their points of view. Do these stated opinions influence Ono? If so, how? Is cowardice or courage a matter of importance to him?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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This section contains 676 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample