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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Book One: Chapter 4, "Out For Chinese," what does Makiko do when she gets home from work?
(a) Watches TV.
(b) Kisses her daughter while she sleeps.
(c) Takes a nap until morning.
(d) Takes a shower.

2. In Book One: Chapter 4, "Out For Chinese," what does Natsu ask Midoriko after the awkward silence?
(a) If she wants to order more food.
(b) If she likes Chinese food.
(c) If she wants to leave the restaurant.
(d) If the soy sauce is too much for her.

3. In Book One: Chapter 1, "Are You Poor?," where does Natsu's father go when he leaves the family?
(a) He abandons them and is never seen again.
(b) He passes away due to an illness.
(c) He moves to another city for work.
(d) He goes on a trip and never returns.

4. In Book One: Chapter 6, "The Safest Place in the World," what do Natsu and Midoriko order for lunch at the amusement park?
(a) Hamburgers and soda.
(b) Hot dogs and french fries.
(c) Pizza and ice cream.
(d) Veggie tempura bowl and curry rice.

5. In Book One: Chapter 3, "Whose Boobs Are They?", what motivates Natsu's desire to be pretty?
(a) Self-esteem.
(b) Material possessions.
(c) Societal pressure.
(d) Happiness.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Book One: Chapter 5, "Up All Night Talking," what leads to Suzuka's abrupt departure from the bar?

2. In Book One: Chapter 4, "Out For Chinese," how does Natsu react when Kewpie asks her to sing a song?

3. In Book One: Chapter 1, "Are You Poor?," why does Natsu feel like she is the only one who does not know the rules at Tokyo Station?

4. In Book One: Chapter 6, "The Safest Place in the World," what does Midoriko write in her notebook at the end of the passage?

5. In Book One: Chapter 3, "Whose Boobs Are They?", what do the homunculi represent in Natsu's dream-like sequence?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Book One: Chapter 6, "The Safest Place In The World," in Midoriko's journal entry, she contemplates the process of fertilization and the development of eggs. How does this reflection reveal her anxieties and concerns about womanhood, and what does it imply about societal expectations?

2. In Book One: Chapter 1, "Are You Poor?," how does Natsu describe her current life in Tokyo? What aspects of her life and career contribute to her feelings of stagnation and isolation?

3. In Book One: Chapter 4, "Out For Chinese," who is Kewpie, and what role does he play in the community of Shobashi? Describe his appearance, personality, and the unusual way he makes a living.

4. In Book One: Chapter 3, "Whose Boobs Are They?" how do Natsu's past memories with Makiko and her dreams of becoming a writer intersect with her responsibilities towards her niece?

5. In Book One: Chapter 4, "Out For Chinese," describe the atmosphere and setting of the Chinese restaurant where the characters are dining. How does the environment reflect the restaurant's reputation?

6. In Book One: Chapter 4, "Out For Chinese," how does the Chinese restaurant in the story symbolize a sense of community and inclusivity in Shobashi?

7. In Book One: Chapter 1, "Are You Poor?," how does Natsu and her sister manage to survive after their mother's death, and what do they do to support themselves financially during their teenage years?

8. In Book One: Chapter 5, "Up All Night Talking," how does Natsu's encounter with Yamagu, now known as Chika Yamaguchi, at the Chinese restaurant evoke memories from her past? How does this encounter reflect the theme of unexpected reunions in the story?

9. In Book One: Chapter 3, "Whose Boobs Are They?" how does Natsu's relationship with her sister Makiko and her niece Midoriko influence her perspective on life and her own dreams?

10. In Book One: Chapter 5, "Up All Night Talking," how does Natsu's contemplation of the books on her bookshelf reflect her evolving perspective on literature and the canonical works she once revered?

(see the answer keys)

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