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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 the Suruya?

2. What does Sayuri jokingly tell the Minister that his piece of beef is?

3. Where does Sayuri find herself as soon after seeing the Chairman open the door to the theater as she can remember anything?

4. What made-up story does Nobu tell when it's his turn to play "Big Liar"?

5. What do Sayuri and Nobu stop to look at on the way to the restroom in chapter 21?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Sayuri spend her time doing during her first week back in Gion after her years with the Arashinos?

2. What does Sayuri say at the end of the novel about how passion fades?

3. What does the Minister do that so angers Nobu at the end of chapter 32?

4. Describe Sayuri's encounter with Yasuda Akira and what she learns from it.

5. What does Sayuri say happened to Korin and why does she mention the story in chapter 28?

6. How does Sayuri experience her mizuage?

7. Explain why Sayuri needs to leave Gion after the Chairman becomes her danna and what arrangements are made for her to do so.

8. Why does Nobu say he's angry with Sayuri at the end of chapter 26?

9. What reason does Pumpkin give for having betrayed Sayuri?

10. Describe Sayuri's first encounter with Pumpkin after her return to Gion following the end of the war.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

Describe the wide range of thoughts and emotions Chiyo faces when finds out that Mr. Tanaka isn't planning to adopt her and her sister and explain how these emotions recur throughout the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout her time in the okiya, Chiyo faces a great deal of adversity. Describe the difficulties she faces and the strategies she develops to deal with these difficulties.

(see the answer keys)

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