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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. Who tries tirelessly to find Mr. Igasaki's killer?

2. What does Natsuki use to kill "the wicked witch"?

3. What is one of Natsuki's husband's main worries when he is fired?

4. What is the term Natsuki's family uses for when the ground around a grave collapses?

5. What does Natsuki hope the earthlings succeed in doing?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Natsuki believe her ear is permanently damaged in Part III?

2. What does Natsuki feel the most pressure from her family about?

3. What happens when Tomoya tries to carry out his plan to engage in a taboo?

4. Who advocates for Natsuki to be able to visit Akishina, and why?

5. Why is Tomoya so repulsed by the site of female skin?

6. What does Tomoya say taboos are just another form or?

7. What does Natsuki actually want the "earthlings" to do to her at the end of Part III?

8. Why is Tomoya fired?

9. Who does Natsuki believes gives her the power to kill the evil creature in Part III?

10. Who does Natsuki believe she killed in Mr. Igasaki's house?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

What does Murata's development of Kise's character arc tell the reader about Japanese society as a whole, at least in the world Murata has build in this novel? Write an essay explaining your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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