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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 is Natsuki's last name?

2. Which teacher tells Natsuki she is doing well and could improve even more?

3. What does Natsuki believe she is as a child?

4. What is one of Natsuki's jobs at the mountain house?

5. How old is Natsuki when she gets married?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What is really unusual about Natsuki's and Tomoya's marriage?

5. What plan does Natsuki make to try to escape her misery?

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Yuu distinguish between the acts of living and surviving? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

How does Murata establish the reader's expectation for Natsuki's unconventional life path early on in the novel? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay critiquing Murata's plot choices at the end of this novel, particularly regarding the eventual "rescue" of Natsuki, Tomoya, and Yuu.

(see the answer keys)

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