View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Uchida Kosaburo do for a living?

2. What word does Nobu use to characterize geisha naming traditions?

3. What does Mr. Tanaka deliver to Chiyo for her mother at the beginning of chapter 2?

4. What does Hatsumomo say her paulownia wood is for?

5. What is hataki komi?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Hatsumomo destroy Sayuri's debut in chapter 15?

2. What caused Nobu's injuries?

3. Why does Mameha refuse to tell Sayuri about her plan?

4. Why does Pumpkin decline to run away from the okiya with Chiyo?

5. What is Mother's reaction to her conversation with Mameha in chapter 11?

6. Explain the deal that Mother and Mameha enter into regarding Chiyo at the end of chapter 11.

7. What does Mameha tell Dr. Crab to make him doubt what Hatsumomo has told him?

8. Explain how Sayuri gets her new name.

9. Describe the momoware and its meaning.

10. What happens to change Dr. Crab's impression of Sayuri in chapter 19?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define what it means to "grow up", and, using the rites of passage found in the book, explain the events that happen that lead to Sayuri "growing up".

Essay Topic 2

Sayuri experiences several ceremonies throughout her time as a geisha. Describe these ceremonies and their purpose, and explain how Sayuri feels about each of them.

Essay Topic 3

Explain what a "plot device" is and describe how the Chairman can be considered a plot device, using specific details from the novel.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,119 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample