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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. Why did Kazu's father speak to the mourners at the funeral?
(a) Because Kazu's father was a priest.
(b) Because the eldest male always speaks at a funeral.
(c) Because Setsuko had asked him to speak.
(d) Because Kazu was unable to.

2. When was the only time bill collectors did not come to Kazu's when his children were young?
(a) During New Year's.
(b) On weekends.
(c) On Mondays.
(d) During dinner.

3. What are some of the ways Kazu recalls getting food when he was homeless?
(a) Kazu would raid trash cans outside of restaurants for food.
(b) His family would bring him care packages every month.
(c) Kazu and others would steal from markets.
(d) Restaurants would leave food out and missionaries would serve them a few days a week.

4. What does Kazu feel may be the only thing he left on earth?
(a) Material objects.
(b) Pollution.
(c) Despondence.
(d) A sense of tiredness.

5. After working in Onamaha for two years, What did Kazu do with his father on Kitamigita Beach?
(a) Harvested clams.
(b) Race track maintenance.
(c) Sold watches.
(d) Sold newspapers.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Kazu recall about the war despite being young when it began?

2. How old was Kazu when the war ended?

3. How was Kazu's behavior at Koichi's funeral different from his mother and daughters?

4. What was Kazu distraught when his wife needed a midwife while she was in labor with their son?

5. How often did Kazu visit his children when they were young?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the history of the Statue of Times Forgotten, which Shige told Kazu about?

2. Who is Kazu and what is he doing in Ueno Station at the start of the novel?

3. Describe the conversation between the homeless man and woman after the woman repeats her disbelief that Shige is dead.

4. What does Kazu's father say to the tax officials who came into their home and marked property to be repossessed?

5. When did Kazu move to Tokyo? Why? How often did he see his family?

6. What does Setsuko wonder about her son's death and how does the priest respond?

7. Describe what happened when Kazu took his children to Haramachi during a festival for the Bon holidays?

8. What was Kazu's first job in Tokyo?

9. Describe Kazu's family. Who were his parents? Where did they live? How many siblings did he have?

10. What does Kazu begin to feel about his life after his son dies?

(see the answer keys)

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