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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the author's wife say she has had a premonition about?
(a) World War.
(b) Civil War.
(c) Akutagawa's death.
(d) Her own death.

2. What is Sasaki's rank?
(a) Admiral.
(b) Major.
(c) Colonel.
(d) General.

3. What does the narrator's father try to bribe the narrator with?
(a) Women.
(b) Sweets.
(c) Money.
(d) Ice cream.

4. What does Shinsuke see floating in the river?
(a) A samarai shield.
(b) A pair of boots.
(c) A dead person.
(d) A dead animal.

5. What is the title of the final story?
(a) Is it Worth it?
(b) The Life of a Stupid Man.
(c) Give Me your Hat.
(d) The Question of Art.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Akutagawa think is imminent?

2. What does Hatsuku mean?

3. What does the narrator say he does during his mother's funeral?

4. What part of Tokyo was Shinsuke brought up in?

5. What does Yasuckichi have to write for Lieutenant Honda?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Yasukichi write cliches and sentimental clap-trap in the eulogy?

2. Why does Shinsuke come to appreciate the fact his mother did not breast feed him?

3. Why does Shinsuke struggle to make friends?

4. Why does the storyteller think Oshino is so ordinary?

5. Describe the image at the river Shinsuke says affects him deeply.

6. Why is Oshino suddenly unable to control his legs?

7. Why does Oshino need new legs?

8. How do the Honda's relative's react to the eulogy?

9. Why does the narrator say he feels guilty?

10. What is the life of the Stupid Man about?

(see the answer keys)

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