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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 Yuki's first response when she discovers her mother unconscious?

2. Select the character below who says, "If you can't do it without being told, then just try not to get in my way."

3. Why does her Aunt Aya ask Yuki to change her clothes before the wake?

4. Select the character below who says, "You won't even let me rest."

5. Which items does Hanae remove from Yuki's room in Chapter 8?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Yuki sometimes feel angry toward her late mother Shizuko?

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

3. Why does Yuki regret telling Sachiko and Mrs. Murai that her mother died in an accident? What does she wish she had said instead?

4. Why does Yuki find herself unable to speak about Monet's painting in front of the class?

5. What are Yuki's feelings about her father's remarriage? How does she make these feelings known on their wedding day?

6. Describe the friendship of Yuki and Sachiko and explain what causes the two to grow apart in the summer of 1971.

7. What are the special objects that Yuki carries with her on the day of her father's wedding? Why are these items important to her?

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

9. In Chapter 5, does Yuki yearn for friendship? Why or why not?

10. In Chapter 14, describe how Takeo explains his understanding of the land reform after the war.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the end of the book, there is an uplifting sense of hope and optimism for the future. How does this contrast with the tonality at the beginning of the novel? Has the change been slow and gradual, or does the emotive quality break free of its chains within a single instance? If so, what triggers the change? Explore the tonality of the novel from beginning to end through the voice of Yuki.

Essay Topic 2

Unlike many of her contemporaries, Yuki does not reject the past but rather attempts to bridge well-loved portions of the past with her present and future. How Yuki accomplishes this changes throughout the duration of the novel as she learns how to best respect and preserve memories. Describe Yuki's progression, from Shizuko's suicide to the epilogue of the book, in regards to preserving the past.

• What kind of behavior does Yuki exhibit that may be considered unhealthy? Why is it unhealthy?

• What is the difference between physical and mental reminders? How is it important?

• Relate Yuki's efforts to others in the novel. How are other characters' methods or beliefs different from her own?

Essay Topic 3

Explore Yuki's initial distrust and avoidance of love as well as her progressive journey toward discovering and opening herself to another person.

• What are her preliminary beliefs about love?

• From where do these beliefs stem?

• What examples does she give as evidence to support her theory?

• At what point does Yuki begin to transcend her self-imposed walls and reach out to another person?

• How does Yuki's emotional journey regarding her mother's suicide bring about the change that Shizuko had desired for her?

(see the answer keys)

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