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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How long does Kazu say it would take him to reassemble his hut at Ueno Park after a forced evacuation?
(a) 1 hour.
(b) 1/2 day.
(c) 1 full day.
(d) 2 hours.

2. Why did Kazu begin having trouble sleeping after his wife died?
(a) He had nightmares throughout the night.
(b) He thought of how his wife and son both died in sleep.
(c) The cicadas were too loud.
(d) He worried Mari might die.

3. What does Kazu say is the best way for homeless people to make money because you get your cash immediately?
(a) Bicycle taxi.
(b) Collecting cans.
(c) Stealing wallets.
(d) Selling newspapers.

4. What does Kazu wonder about after Shige died?
(a) Kazu wonders if somebody killed Shige.
(b) Kazu wonders what happened to Emile.
(c) Kazu wonders how Shige became homeless.
(d) Kazu wonders if Shige killed himself.

5. Who did Kazu think of when he and Setsuko attended the 49th day mourning ceremony for their neighbor?
(a) His mother.
(b) His wife.
(c) Koichi.
(d) His father.

6. What did Yoko do for her father after Setsuko dies?
(a) She moved in with him.
(b) She hired a maid.
(c) She urged him to move in with her.
(d) She sent her daughter to live with him.

7. Kazu sees an old man on the bench who looks very neat. What is it about him that makes Kazu believe he must be homeless?
(a) He has a pile of old magazines beside him.
(b) He is asking people for money.
(c) The hundreds of cans bagged up at his feet.
(d) He has bags of ginkgo nuts.

8. How old was Kazu when he began to visit the cabaret club?
(a) 40.
(b) 67.
(c) 30.
(d) 50.

9. What edible product did some homeless people sell to make enough money to feed themselves?
(a) Muffins.
(b) Fish.
(c) Blueberries.
(d) Ginko nuts.

10. What does Kazu see at Ueno Park less than 30 minutes after the homeless were supposed to have left the park?
(a) A pop-up cafe.
(b) Police riot vans.
(c) An outdoor art exhibit.
(d) The Imperial family posing for photos.

11. How often did Kazu's daughter Yoko's family visit after Kazu returns home?
(a) Every month.
(b) Twice a year.
(c) Every other week.
(d) Every week.

12. What was the name of the hostess Kazu met at the caberet club in Shinsekai?
(a) Yoko.
(b) Mari.
(c) Junko.
(d) Miro.

13. Kazu listens to two women speak of how there are fewer of which type of bird in the area?
(a) Robins.
(b) Goldfinches.
(c) Sparrows.
(d) Wrens.

14. What do the two businessmen Kazu observes walking toward the Shimizu Kannon Temple discuss on their walk?
(a) The temple.
(b) Work.
(c) Their jobs.
(d) Food.

15. How did Setsuko's brother describe Kazu and his sister's final years together?
(a) Like a rollercoaster.
(b) Like a daydream.
(c) Like a waste of time.
(d) Like a honeymoon.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Kazu find interesting about the calendar hung up in Shige's hut?

2. What temporary job could one register for if s/he had a license and a cell phone and wanted to avoid dangerous work?

3. Where was the hostel Kazu met at the cabaret club from?

4. What did Shige tell Kazu is significant about the day he invited Kazu to his hut?

5. What had Setsuko told Kazu not long before her death?

(see the answer keys)

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