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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who did Kazu think of when he and Setsuko attended the 49th day mourning ceremony for their neighbor?

2. How is the bench that Kazu sees an old man on so still he seems he could be dead described?

3. How old was Kazu's granddaughter Mari when he left for Tokyo?

4. What gift from Yoko and Setsuko did Kazu still have while homeless?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Where is the art exhibit Kazu observes and how are the old women in the gift shop described?

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

3. What type of work might homeless people do to earn money either as day laborers or regular work?

4. After Kazu discusses his return home when he was 60, he describes Setsuko's life all the years he was away. What does he say she did?

5. Describe the homeless man Kazu sees on one of the "sarcophagus-like stone benches" (100). How does he know he is homeless? Why might others not know?

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

7. Why does Kazu stop going to Shinsekai when he turns 60?

8. What is the Shogitai grave?

9. Why is it interesting that Kazu's parents died not long after he returned home?

10. How did Kazu respond to the gift Yoko and Setsuko had given him for his 60th birthday and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay analyzing narrative voice in Tokyo Ueno Station. Include thoughts on how the narrative voice of the story is effective in conveying the story’s themes.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss elements of the narrative structure in Tokyo Ueno Station: Exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the novel's themes?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay describing the imagery used in Tokyo Ueno Station. Indicate examples of imagery in the text and identify possible meanings.

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