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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 Keiko do when Stephen asks her to meet him at the shrine?

2. Stephen says he feels like his new life has ended. What does he say he has returned to?

3. Why does Stephen say he feels cheated?

4. What effect does Matsu say Tomoko's illness had on their relationship?

5. What dream does Stephen record in his journal?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Stephen feel when Matsu walks in and interrupts Sachi's story?

2. What is the tone of Keiko's meeting with Stephen at the shrine?

3. Does Stephen feel that he is at danger from the war?

4. How does Keiko let Stephen know she is interested in him despite her father?

5. What is Sachi's relationship with Michiko?

6. Compare Matsu and Tomoko as teenagers.

7. What is the significance of the conversation Stephen and Keiko have on the beach?

8. Discuss Hiro.

9. How does Sachi change after Michiko's death?

10. What information does Stephen get from Penelope's letter?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It's clear that characters in this story affect the lives of others around them. Imagine Kenzo without Sachi, or Sachi without Michiko's influence. For three characters, choose a single person in the story that you think has the most influence on them. How would each character's life be different without that person?

Essay Topic 2

Point of view is an important element of style as this story as told through Stephen's journal. Choose three events in the story that would be dramatically altered if the story was told from a different point of view. Give specific examples that support your assertions. Why do you think the author chose to tell the story through the point of view that she did?

Essay Topic 3

Sachi's kare sansui is, by definition, a dry garden. Although she has chosen to include the blue-purple flower, the garden is mainly made up of rocks that represent the ripples of water. Stephen calls it an illusion. It could also be called a dead garden.

1) Why do you think Sachi chose this type of a garden rather than one filled with life?

2) What does the later inclusions of the blue-purple flower represent?

3) Why does Sachi rearrange the stones frequently?

(see the answer keys)

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