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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. Why is Morio's apprentice, Shige, crying when H returns home from school one day?

2. Why does H believe Germany is not to be trusted?

3. What did Tamori's wife supposedly do?

4. Why is Mr. Suzuki happy when he reaches the boys in the boat?

5. What rule of his mothers is H embarrassed about?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the war feel closer to H in Kobe than it does at his grandparents' home?

2. Why do Toshiko and H hide some things under the floor of their house?

3. What do the soldier's straw sandals lead H to conclude?

4. How are H and Mrs. Tazaki different?

5. What is Morio bothered by in chapter 45?

6. How does the meaning of the phoenix relate to H?

7. What changes occur in Kobe in preparation for the American forces?

8. What signs of a deteriorating economy are evident in Chapter 15?

9. Why would some Japanese people believe that America is a savage country?

10. What does H trying a cigarette for the first time symbolize?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At various points in the novel the Senoh family members are separated from one another. Describe the circumstances surrounding these separations and explain how they affected the family.

Essay Topic 2

The novel begins before the war when H is still a young boy, and ends after the war with H making a living. As a result of the war, is H forced to grow up more quickly? If the war had not happened, how do you think his childhood and teen years would have differed?

Essay Topic 3

Christianity is practiced by many in Japan, including the Senoh family. Prior to and during the war, how is Christianity viewed in the eyes of:

a) Toshiko

b) H

c) Japan as a whole

(see the answer keys)

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