View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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 lotus.
(c) A rose.
(d) A lily.

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

4. 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) The Imperial family posing for photos.
(c) A pop-up cafe.
(d) Police riot vans.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Shige say he and Kazu needed to find shelter from the day after he invited Kazu to his hut?

2. What are some of the dangerous jobs Kazu lists that homeless people could get through day labor recruiters?

3. What did Yoko do for her father after Setsuko dies?

4. How long after Shige invited Kazu to his hut for the first time did Kazu die?

5. What took up most of the space in Shige's hut?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the conversation Kazu overhears between two homeless men, one of whom had worked in real estate.

2. What does Kazu say teenagers had been doing to the homeless around when the homeless former realtor had died?

3. What does Shige tell Kazu about the statue of Saigo Takamori near Ueno Park?

4. What artist is on exhibit near the Ueno station? Describe his work.

5. Who does Kazu meet at Shinsekai? Describe their relationship.

6. How old is Kazu when he begins going to Shinsekai? How long after his son's death does he begin to go there? What is Shinsekai?

7. What was particularly difficult about the day Kazu saw a notice on his hut that he needed to remove all of his belongs by 8:30 the next morning in November of 2006?

8. Why were the homeless often evacuated from Ueno Park and where would they go?

9. What happens to Setsuko seven years after Kazu returned home, and why does he blame himself?

10. Describe the night Shige invited Kazu to his hut for sake.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 944 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample