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

2. What is the only thing in the kitchen that has not been changed by Yuki's stepmother after she moves into the house?

3. What does Hideki's bride wear to the wedding ceremony?

4. According to Shizuko, what is the best kind of pottery?

5. In Chapter 4, what does Yuki remove from the refrigerator?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Hanae so disturbed by the attic?

2. Is Hideki affectionate toward Yuki?

3. At the beginning of Chapter 7, why is Masa disappointed in Yuki?

4. Why does Yuki decide against thanking her father for letting her attend Aya's wedding?

5. Why does Shizuko give Yuki the business card that Mr. Kimura left her? What is Shizuko's reason for deciding not to call Mr. Kimura again?

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

7. Why is it important to Yuki to transport the flowers from the old house to the new house?

8. What happens at the end of Chapter 2 after Yuki changes her clothes for the wake?

9. Why does the living room appear unfamiliar to Yuki on the day of the wake?

10. Why does Yuki begin to pack away Shizuko's things without taking a single item for herself?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore the concepts of individuality versus conformity through the character of Yuki in the novel.

Part 1) In what ways does Yuki conform to society's expectations of her?

Part 2) In what ways does Yuki assert her independence?

Part 3) Relate Yuki's desire to forge her own path to the time period in which the novel is set. In what way is her desire to live by her own rulebook representative of a larger societal trend?

Essay Topic 2

Examine Yuki's relationship with her father and stepmother and how the lack of respect from all involved parties has created a rift in the family. Yuki is utterly unable to connect with her new set of parents after Shizuko's death, and in turn, Hideki and Hanae find Yuki to be contemptible.

Part 1) How does Yuki's initial behavior at Hideki and Hanae's wedding set the tone for their future relationship?

Part 2) How does Yuki's attitude toward her father and stepmother compound their overall disdain and mistrust?

Part 3) What other factors contribute toward the lack of communication and understanding between family members?

Part 4) How does Hanae create tension between Hideki and Yuki? Is she the primary aggressor of the household? Why or why not?

Part 5) Takeo tells Yuki that respect must be earned before it can be given. What is he trying to tell Yuki?

Essay Topic 3

For a young person, Yuki lives with a great deal of regret. Write an essay in which you explore the impact of this particular burden on Yuki. What is Yuki's biggest regret? What does she regret more, her actions or her words? Why? Do other characters regret their actions or words? If so, how do their regrets compare to those of Yuki?

(see the answer keys)

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