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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 school does Natsuki go to?

2. What does Natsuki tell Yuu when she calls him in Part II?

3. What city does Natsuki work in?

4. What is Natsuki's last name?

5. What does Yuu call his mother that is unusual?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Part II, why does Natsuki's family go to Obon after all?

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

3. How do Natsuki and Tomoya meet?

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

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

6. How does Natsuki feel her mother treats her?

7. What does Mr. Igasaki make Natsuki do early in Part II that is humiliating?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Do you think Murata's portrayal of the rigidity of Japanese society seems realistic? Why or why not? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay exploring the symbolism Murata intends to convey through Natsuki's, Tomoya's, and Yuu's acts of eating each other while still alive.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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