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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the jogger Kazu sees thank God for in his note at the temple?
(a) He thanks God for his good health.
(b) He thanks God he met his wife.
(c) He thanks God for his father's speedy recovery.
(d) He thanks God that he finished the marathon.

2. What withered flower does Kazu feel represents his life because it is "closed off with nowhere to go" (160)?
(a) A daisy.
(b) A lily.
(c) A rose.
(d) A lotus.

3. What does Kazu wonder about regarding Shige after Kazu's death?
(a) Kazu wonders if Shige was saddened by his death.
(b) Kazu wonders if the things Shige told him were all lies.
(c) Kazu wonders what Shige did for a living before he was homeless.
(d) Kazu wonders if he should have let Shige tell him his life story.

4. What temporary job could one register for if s/he had a license and a cell phone and wanted to avoid dangerous work?
(a) Cleaning the parks.
(b) Putting up blinds.
(c) Substitute teaching.
(d) Editing manuscripts.

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

6. What does the author intersperse between the dialogue Kazu hears between the two women at the Ueno Royal Art Museum?
(a) Dialogue between two museum guards.
(b) Informational panel about the artwork.
(c) A radio announcement about the Imperial family.
(d) A remembered conversation between Kazo and his wife.

7. What did Shige say he and Kazu needed to find shelter from the day after he invited Kazu to his hut?
(a) The imperial family's visit.
(b) A police raid of the homeless tent city.
(c) A typhoon.
(d) A snowstorm.

8. What does Kazu say he felt about the hostess the first time they danced at the cabaret?
(a) He felt his wife would be happy for him.
(b) He wanted to leave his wife.
(c) She was his dream woman.
(d) Self hate for hurting his wife.

9. What had Setsuko told Kazu not long before her death?
(a) She felt sick and should see a doctor.
(b) She knew she would die while the cicadas were singing.
(c) She felt she had lived a full life and it was time to move on.
(d) She did not want to die before he did.

10. Kazu hears the sigh of a sobbing homeless man who is doing what, which Kazu says is unusual for a homeless person?
(a) Crying that he is hungry.
(b) Complaining he cannot get work.
(c) Pleading with a stranger to help him.
(d) Telling his life story.

11. How old was Kazu's granddaughter Mari when he left for Tokyo?
(a) 21.
(b) 27.
(c) 18.
(d) 30.

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

13. What are some of the dangerous jobs Kazu lists that homeless people could get through day labor recruiters?
(a) Construction and demolition.
(b) Lifeguard.
(c) Train station custodian.
(d) Security officer.

14. How old was Kazu when he started living in Ueno Park?
(a) 45.
(b) 67.
(c) 27.
(d) 88.

15. How much was the homeless man Kazu listens to making in his profession before the bubble burst and his company went under?
(a) 800,000 yen/ month.
(b) 1 million yen/ month.
(c) 17,000 yen /month.
(d) 45,000 yen/ month.

Short Answer Questions

1. 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?

2. What was the first sign something is unusual the morning Kazu woke up after the 49th day mourning ceremony?

3. What does Kazu worry may have happened the night Setsuko died?

4. What do the two businessmen Kazu observes walking toward the Shimizu Kannon Temple discuss on their walk?

5. Which of Kazu's family members was the first to die not long after he returned home?

(see the answer keys)

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