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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Shizuko do immediately after her phone call with Yuki in Chapter 1?
(a) She cooks a stew.
(b) She finishes sewing Yuki's new skirt.
(c) She cleans her closet.
(d) She goes into her den and writes goodbye notes.

2. On her last visit to Sachiko's house, what tree is in flower?
(a) A pomegranate tree.
(b) A lilac tree.
(c) A cherry tree.
(d) A chestnut tree.

3. In what month does Chapter 6, Sundays, begin?
(a) June.
(b) March.
(c) September.
(d) October.

4. What is Yuki's first response when she discovers her mother unconscious?
(a) Yuki drops her books, turns off the gas, and calls her father at work.
(b) Yuki walks to the living room and plays her mother's favorite song on the piano.
(c) Yuki runs to the neighbor's house to get help.
(d) Yuki cries and collapses onto the floor.

5. Who trips and falls at the beginning of Chapter 7?
(a) Takeo.
(b) Yuki.
(c) Masa.
(d) Hanae.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Masa, what was Yuki like as a young child?

2. Which fruit does Yuki offer to pick while at her grandparents' home?

3. What does Shizuko's mother say the morning of the wake?

4. In Chapter 1, why is Yuki going to be late for dinner?

5. Which of the following events takes place at the end of Chapter 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. Is Yuki pleased with the changes that Yuki's stepmother makes to the family home? Why or why not?

2. In Chapter 10, Yuki recalls how Mr. Kimura told her stories about Shizuko's years as a schoolgirl. What similarities become apparent between the young Shizuko and Yuki?

3. How does it make Yuki feel as she observes Sachiko interacting with her mother after the track meet?

4. What kind of personality does the young Tadashi have? What does he represent?

5. Why does Shizuko leave some of the violas rather than move them to the new house?

6. Why does Shizuko destroy one of the goodbye notes at the end of Chapter 1?

7. What does Shizuko wish that she had done differently on the day she decides to take her life?

8. How are Hideki's marriage and his position at work related?

9. Why does Mr. Kimura marry Aya? Why does he believe that his reason is not an inappropriate one?

10. In Chapter 16, how does Yuki use Masa's kimonos to keep healthy, happy reminders of the past in her life?

(see the answer keys)

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