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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 special power does Natsuki believe she has after Mr. Igasaki's abuse?

2. What does Yuu ask Natsuki to look for with him?

3. What holiday does Natsuki gather with her father's extended family for every year?

4. Where does Natsuki's family all gather once per year?

5. What do Natsuki's and Yuu's family do when they discover the children naked in Part II?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do all the adults in Natsuki's family get so angry and upset with her and Yuu?

2. What childhood fantasy does Natsuki have in Part I?

3. What does Yuu tell Natsuki he believes about himself that makes him special?

4. In Part II, why does the family decide not to go to Akishina for Obon?

5. What vow do Yuu and Natsuki make to each other?

6. What is Yuu's problem with Mitsuko?

7. Which relative is always kind to the children in Natsuki's family?

8. Why do Natsuki and her family leave Akishina early in Part I?

9. What happens to Natsuki after Mr. Igasaki sexually abuses her?

10. How does Natsuki feel about going to granny and grandpa's every year?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How and why does Murata establish Akishina as a refuge and a place of comfort and solace for Natsuki in the early stages of the novel? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

What do you think Murata reveals about both Natsuki and Tomoya by explaining how they came to their marriage agreement? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Why is Piyyut so important in Natsuki's childhood and adolescence? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

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