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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 does Ichiro believe his parents represent?

2. Where did Kenji and Ichiro go to find illegal gambling halls?

3. Why is Ichiro mad at his mother when they argue for the first time?

4. How does Ichiro travel around town?

5. Why are Kenji and Ichiro becoming better friends?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Bull first ignore, and then make fun of Ichiro?

2. Why does Ichiro call his mother crazy in Chapter 2?

3. How long have Ichiro's parents been in the United States and do they plan on returning to Japan?

4. How is Freddie spending his time and why?

5. Who attacks Ichiro outside of Club Oriental?

6. Why do characters like Ichiro and Freddie feel guilt?

7. Who sends the letter to Ichiro's mother and what does it say?

8. Where has Freddie been before he recently returned home five weeks ago?

9. Why was the bombing at Pearl Harbor such a dramatic event in U.S. military history?

10. Why does Ichiro have to apologize to his father after Ichiro fought with his mother?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why do you think Ichiro's mother never wanted to introduce American customs to her family? Why was she adamant about maintaining only Japanese traditions in the household? How does her attitude toward America contribute to her unwillingness to believe Japan has lost the war?

Essay Topic 2

Explain why Kenji being an injured decorated war veteran was so important to the novel. Why was his injury and pain such an important component in his character makeup? What would have changed throughout the novel had he been happy, healthy, and a celebrated solider?

Essay Topic 3

Describe how pain is used as a theme throughout the book. Which characters are moved and motivated by pain? What kind of pain are they suffering? How do they relate to each other?

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