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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. What does Jiya do when the family sits at the table to eat?

2. What is Kino's father prepared to do for Jiya?

3. Where does Kino's father place Jiya after he faints?

4. The person who owns the island lives in a ___________________ on the mountainside.

5. Why is Kino glad that he lives up so high on the mountain?

Short Essay Questions

1. What gift does Setsu offer to Jiya when he is distraught over the loss of his family?

2. Where does Kino live?

3. Summarize the story in The Big Wave.

4. What had Kino's father told him about the necessity for Jiya to eat in order to heal?

5. Why do Kino and his family surround Jiya as he begins to awaken?

6. Why does Kino's father say they must wait for Jiya?

7. Why does Kino's father tell Kino that it is good for Jiya to get more sleep?

8. What is Kino's experience when the volcano starts to become active?

9. What does Kino's father tell him that they will do for Jiya now that his family is gone?

10. How does Jiya show that he is still in shock during the meal?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the overall setting for the book. Why does Buck use the setting she does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

Essay Topic 2

Create a brief character study of Jiya. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What motivates him--if anything--at this point in his life?

Essay Topic 3

Pearl Buck is a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphor, and irony, and briefly describe them and identify the technique which they embody.

(see the answer keys)

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