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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 planet does Natsuki think Yuu is from?

2. What is Natsuki's most prized possession?

3. What does Natsuki ask Yuu to do with her in Part II that shocks him initially?

4. How does Natsuki try to kill herself?

5. What does Natsuki tell her husband her family would always buy in the spring?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the adults always ask the children to do at the mountain house when they first arrive which is part of tradition?

2. Why is Natsuki barred from being a pallbearer in Part II?

3. In Part II, what "lesson" does Mr. Igasaki give to Natsuki at his home?

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

5. How does Natuski observe the dynamic between her mother and father?

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

7. What refrain does Natsuki constantly repeat to her mother to please her?

8. How do Natsuki and Tomoya meet?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are the expectations for both men and women in Natsuki's society, as Murata describes them to the reader? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

What do you think Murata means to communicate to the reader about the dynamic in Natsuki's family by repeatedly having adult characters in Natsuki's extended family and who are friends or neighbors challenge her mother's harsh views of Natsuki? Write an essay explaining your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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