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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. What two virtues did Kurosawa's father attribute to movies in Babyhood?

2. How does Kurosawa describe the style of institution that Kuroda Primary School is?

3. Who sent Akira to Toyokawa Village for the summer after his fifth grade year?

4. In The Gleam of Fireflies, why was Kurosawa uncomfortable with the speech given him?

5. When the Depression hits Japan, what did Akira felt bad about his parents paying for what?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Akira Kurosawa dislike his calligraphy tutor?

2. Describe Akira's relationship with Aunt Togashi.

3. How was Kurosawa nearly killed on the way to school in this section?

4. How did the earthquake provide an opportunity for violence in Tokyo?

5. Describe young Akira Kurosawa' daily schedule.

6. What was Kurosawa's experience at Morimura Gakuen?

7. Who is Mr. Tachikawa?

8. What embarrassments did young Akira experience at his father's hometown?

9. What importance does Kurosawa place on mentors in Honor and Revere?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the opening chapters of the book, Akira discusses the long days of school and activities he had as a pre-adolescent. Each of these extracurricular activities explains something about Akira's passions and attitudes toward the world. Write a three-part essay about these activities:

Part 1) How did Akira get involved in the kendo class? To what extent was his inclusion in the class something of a victory, one that refuted the assertion that he was a weakling? What other duties came with kendo? How did Akira eventually find his training put to good use?

Part 2) What was Akira's attitude toward his calligraphy lessons? Discuss why Akira's father was so insistent that his son take them. What about the calligraphy tutor was subpar or unhelpful, and how did the author deal with these classes? How did he eventually get out of them?

Part 3) Why was Mr. Tachikawa's house the last stop on Akira's itinerary every day? What was the significance of this visit, and why was it something that the author looked forward to all day? What function did Mr. Tachikawa serve in Akira's life?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay about the dynamic that existed in Kurosawa's parent's household. What appearance do both his mother try to create, and how does this outward appearance conform to societal expectations? What is the reality behind Kurosawa's father's stoicism? What tenderness and passion exists there, and how does the father pass it onto his son? What does his mother's calm conceal? Is she really as subservient as she appears?

Essay Topic 3

Each of the three schools that Akira Kurosawa attends offers a set of harrowing challenges for the young boy. As such, they each offer a chance for growth. Write an essay comparing these three schools. What challenges does each offer young Akira? Do these challenges defeat him, help him grow, or both? What mentors and compatriots does Akira meet at each? How is the Akira that leaves different from the one that enters?

Part 1) Morimura Gakuen.

Part 2) His second, unnamed school.

Part 3) Keika Middle School.

(see the answer keys)

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