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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What item is found in Matsu's garden?
(a) An aromatic purple flower.
(b) A fish pond.
(c) A cherry tree.
(d) A colorful array of vegetables.

2. What does Stephen's mother ask him to do?
(a) Find out about his father's affair.
(b) Talk to his father about his affair.
(c) Return to his father's home in Japan.
(d) Come home in her time of need.

3. What reason does Stephen's father give for sending his mistress a large sum of money?
(a) The money was to invest in a new business.
(b) The money was to pay for her medical bills.
(c) The money was to help her get through the war.
(d) The money was to pay for a child he had with her.

4. Who does Stephen travel to Kobe with?
(a) Henry.
(b) Ching.
(c) His father.
(d) Penelope.

5. What does Matsu reveal about his younger sister while he is in Yamaguchi with Stephen?
(a) She died giving birth to a son.
(b) She was a healer.
(c) She died of tuberculosis.
(d) She was taken by leprosy.

6. How does his father's departure affect Stephen?
(a) He is determined to heal.
(b) He is sadder than ever.
(c) He is determined to paint.
(d) He is more confused than ever.

7. Where does Stephen meet Kenzo?
(a) A teahouse.
(b) A marketplace.
(c) Sachi's house.
(d) Matsu's garden.

8. What is Stephen's first impression of the person who meets him at the station?
(a) That he has a secret.
(b) That he enjoys solitude.
(c) That he yearns for company.
(d) That he is an angry man.

9. What does Stephen notice a lack of in Tarumi?
(a) Young men.
(b) Children.
(c) Food.
(d) Young women.

10. What does Stephen learn during his father's second visit, which occurs in December of 1937?
(a) That his mistress died a year ago.
(b) That his father has another child with a Japanese woman.
(c) That his father had a 12-year affair with a Japanese woman.
(d) That his mother has been ill.

11. What best describes Kenzo and Matsu in their youth?
(a) Kenzo was shy and Matsu was industrious.
(b) Kenzo was popular and Matsu was shy.
(c) Kenzo was brave and Matsu was neat.
(d) Kenzo was ill and Matsu was helpful.

12. Who does Stephen meet in Yamaguchi?
(a) Sachi.
(b) Keiko.
(c) Ching.
(d) A doctor.

13. What is a kado-matsu?
(a) A symbol for luck that is used for making a wish.
(b) A wreath symbolizing prosperity, purity, longevity, and loyalty.
(c) A totem to keep out demons, cold, and pestilence.
(d) A rope of twisted straw thought to keep away evil spirits.

14. Who says, "A Japanese woman would never do such a thing," and to whom is that person referring?
(a) Kenzo referring to Yoshiko.
(b) Stephen referring to his mother.
(c) Stephen referring to Yoshiko.
(d) Kenzo referring to Stephen's mother.

15. How does Stephen describe the houses in the village of Yamaguchi?
(a) As small domiciles of peace.
(b) As sores on the already pained landscape.
(c) As being pieced together from scraps.
(d) As a mish-mash of leftovers.

Short Answer Questions

1. What important event occurs at the beginning of Stephen's November journal that leaves him feeling lost?

2. Why do Stephen and Matsu initially go to Yamaguchi?

3. Why does Stephen have memories of Matsu from childhood?

4. What is the name of the object Stephen gives Matsu for luck?

5. What does Sachi tell Stephen when she learns that Matsu was unaware of this visit?

(see the answer keys)

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