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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. In The Fragrance of Meiji, the Sounds of Taisho, Kurosawa recalls the smells and sounds of what year in Japan?
(a) 1930.
(b) 1912.
(c) 1947.
(d) 1899.

2. In Kendo, what does Kurosawa recall his father doing in the morning during the war years?
(a) Cooking breakfast for the family.
(b) Meditating behind the house.
(c) Watching the children walk to school.
(d) Weeping bitterly in his bedroom.

3. In Crybaby, how did Kurosawa's older brother try to toughen him up in preparation face bullies?
(a) He pushes him into a river.
(b) He calls him bad names.
(c) He forced him to eat a worm.
(d) He beats him up.

4. Where is young Akira in his earliest memory?
(a) A wash basin.
(b) His mother's arms.
(c) The womb.
(d) A crib.

5. When visiting his father's hometown, Akira was confused when the elders did what?
(a) Kissed his hand.
(b) Asked after his uncle.
(c) Asked him to read some calligraphy.
(d) Toasted him.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why was young Akira sent to Toyokawa Village?

2. In what type of structure did the old man mentioned at the end of A Distant Village live?

3. At the beginning of A Distant Village, Kurosawa says he never felt like what?

4. What did Kurosawa lose in his duel with the gang of students that attack him in Murasaki and Shonagon?

5. At the end of The Long Red Brick Wall, what did Kurosawa do as he walked to school?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened on September 1, 1923?

2. Why did Akira Kurosawa dislike his calligraphy tutor?

3. Why did Akira Kurosawa not fight in the military?

4. How did young Akira put is Kendo into practice in self-defense?

5. What was Forgotten Children, and how did it affect Kurosawa?

6. In Honor and Revere, how did Akira improve his math skills?

7. What memories does Akira Kurosawa have about movies in his childhood?

8. Why does Akira Kurosawa not understand the concept of hometowns?

9. How does Kurosawa compare his parents' personalities in Kendo?

10. How was Akira Kurosawa introduced to film at an early age?

(see the answer keys)

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