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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 a traditional action everyone does when they first come to the mountain house?

2. What does Mr. Igasaki say he wants to teach Natsuki about at his house in Part II?

3. How does Natsuki meet her husband?

4. What type of creature is Piyyut?

5. Where does Natsuki live with her parents and sister?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 2, how does Natsuki refer to her town as an adult?

2. How do Natsuki and Tomoya meet?

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

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

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

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

7. In Part II, what does Natsuki desperately want to do with Yuu?

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

9. What does Natsuki try to do right after her grandfather's funeral?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Murata describe Natsuki's experience of Mr. Igasaki's murder? Why might it be described in this way? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay analyzing Murata's tone and language in this novel, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

Why do you think Natsuki recognizes engaging in cannibalism as a taboo that it will be impossible to rejoin polite society after taking part in? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 485 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample