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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where did Ichiro's mother fail most?
(a) Trying to make him enlist in the army.
(b) Trying to make him learn several languages.
(c) Trying to keep him isolated from Americans and their customs.
(d) Trying to make him take over the family business.

2. What does Ichiro tell the Japanese boy waiting on him at the cafe?
(a) That he is Chinese.
(b) That he is homeless.
(c) That he is unemployed.
(d) That he is American.

3. What do we learn about Ichiro's mother before Ichiro leaves for Portland?
(a) That she wants to sell the grocery store.
(b) That she doesn't like Ichiro.
(c) That she enjoys lining up cans and knocking them over.
(d) She has a deteriorating mental condition.

4. When did everything change in his marriage, according to Ichiro's father?
(a) When they made the trip from Japan to America.
(b) When they had children.
(c) When they opened the grocery store.
(d) When she tried to stack the cans.

5. What is wrong with the voice of the priest who is conducting the ceremony at Ichiro's mother's funeral?
(a) It is not loud enough for all of the mourners to hear.
(b) It is too deep and loud and scares the crowd.
(c) It sounds too high-pitched to be mourning a loss.
(d) It is shaky because he is crying.

6. What man is balding with unsympathetic, dark eyes?
(a) Ichiro's father.
(b) The priest.
(c) The college professor.
(d) Ralph.

7. Why does Ichiro's father take the death of his wife so calmly?
(a) He can now do all the work at the grocery store by himself.
(b) He feels like he can drink whiskey any time he wants now.
(c) He won't miss his wife.
(d) He feels a sense of freedom knowing she was very unhappy with her life.

8. What do the funeral and Ichiro's mother's life have in common?
(a) They were both full of things that did not reflect reality.
(b) They were both full of flowers.
(c) They were both happy celebrations.
(d) They were both too short.

9. Who does Ichiro give Kenji's car to?
(a) Emi.
(b) Kenji's father.
(c) Ralph.
(d) Taro.

10. What does the idea of finding work represent for Ichiro?
(a) Hope and a sense of security.
(b) A way to avoid going back home.
(c) A paycheck.
(d) A way to meet new friends.

11. How many customers are in the Burnside Cafe when Ichiro walks through the door?
(a) 12, there aren't any tables available.
(b) Zero, he's the only patron.
(c) 25, the place is packed.
(d) The cafe is closed.

12. Why does Ichiro go to the Christian Rehabiliation Center?
(a) To learn Japanese.
(b) To learn about religion.
(c) To learn English.
(d) To apply for a job.

13. What happens to Freddie after he runs away from the fight in the alley?
(a) He goes back to the bar.
(b) He runs home.
(c) He goes to fight Ito.
(d) He dies in the car crash.

14. What does Freddie want Ichiro to do with him at after the funeral?
(a) Go to the library to check out books.
(b) Go with him to enlist in the army.
(c) Go out with him for some fun.
(d) Go with him to see Emi.

15. What happens when Ichiro pulls up to the grocery store in the Oldsmobile following his trip home from Portland?
(a) He refuses to go in and drives away.
(b) He goes in and has dinner with his parents.
(c) The grocery store is locked and he can't get in.
(d) He gets into a fight with his brother.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Kenji's father live?

2. Who arranged the marriage between Ichiro's parents?

3. This is the best way to describe the book's ending:

4. How much whiskey does Ichiro's father drink just before Ichiro returns from Portland?

5. How does Ichiro's mother die?

(see the answer keys)

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