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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Nagare ask Gohtaro if something is wrong with his coffee?
(a) He misunderstands Gohtaro's upset expression.
(b) He is trying to eavesdrop on Gohtaro and Shuichi's conversation.
(c) He is reminding Gohtaro of the passing time.
(d) He disapproves of the commotion Gohtaro and Shuichi are causing.

2. What is the title of the book that the woman in the white dress used to read?
(a) Mother and Son.
(b) Samoa.
(c) The Cherry Blossoms.
(d) Lovers.

3. Who sings a song about crickets in the opening of "Mother and Son"?
(a) Kazu.
(b) Miki.
(c) Kyoko.
(d) Nagare.

4. What does Shuichi do just before urging Gohtaro to get started with the recording?
(a) Blows his nose and wipes away his tears.
(b) Feels Gohtaro's coffee cup.
(c) Gets up to go to the restroom again.
(d) Whispers something to himself.

5. How does Kyoko react to Nagare's suggestion about a present for Kiyoshi's wife?
(a) She laughs and tells Nagare he does not understand women.
(b) She politely suggests a slight improvement in the plan.
(c) She dismisses it as completely unhelpful.
(d) She praises it effusively, saying she wishes her husband thought like Nagare.

6. What does Kazu refuse to allow Kyoko to pay for?
(a) Her son's second orange juice.
(b) Gohtaro's coffee.
(c) The sandwich for Kinuyo.
(d) The woman in white's bill.

7. Which best describes Shuichi's reaction when he returns from the restroom and sees the much-older Gohtaro?
(a) Frightened.
(b) Hostile.
(c) Amused.
(d) Thrilled.

8. What is a "mimetic expression" (47)?
(a) One that imitates a feeling generated by the thing it names.
(b) One that conveys a comparison indirectly.
(c) One that conveys emphasis by understating a feeling.
(d) One that imitates the sound of the thing it names.

9. Where did Miki get her red backpack from?
(a) She got it from school.
(b) Her mother gave it to her.
(c) It is Kyoko's son's old backpack.
(d) Kazu bought it for her.

10. Whom does the narrative compare to "a sentry guarding a castle" (28)?
(a) Kaname.
(b) Gohtero.
(c) Shuichi.
(d) Nagare.

11. Where did Kazu meet the man who is now her boyfriend?
(a) Art school.
(b) The café.
(c) The grocery store.
(d) Mrs. Kinuyo's house.

12. What reason does Kyoko give for being so pleased that Kazu has a boyfriend?
(a) Her mother often expressed a wish that Kazu be happily married.
(b) She thinks that Kazu will be a wonderful mother someday.
(c) She has often been concerned that Kazu leads a lonely life.
(d) Her own marriage is her greatest source of happiness.

13. Why does Kazu especially enjoy the café after closing?
(a) She is not much of a "people person."
(b) She takes pride in cleaning and straightening the café.
(c) She knows that it means she will be back home soon.
(d) She likes to work quietly without thinking.

14. What kind of drawing does Kazu specialize in?
(a) Romantic.
(b) Surrealistic.
(c) Hyperrealistic.
(d) Abstract Expressionist.

15. When Gohtaro was originally in the café, twenty-two years ago, what did he notice about the person sitting in the ghost chair?
(a) The man seemed to be talking to someone that Gohtaro could not see.
(b) The man had spilled his coffee and was looking around for help.
(c) The man was weeping quietly the entire time Gohtaro was in the café.
(d) The man looked like he had time-traveled from the 1920's.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where is the time-traveling café located?

2. What does Kazu suggest that Kiyoshi should get for his wife's birthday?

3. What does the expression "in a pickle" mean (32)?

4. How old is Kazu?

5. What is the first thing that Shuichi wants to know once he understands that Gohtaro has come from the future?

(see the answer keys)

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