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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. At the end of Chapter 16, what does Masa do at the open window?

2. In Chapter 12, what is the first item of clothing that Yuki takes out of the boxes?

3. How long is the speech on Monet's painting that Yuki recalls giving during Chapter 12?

4. In Chapter 11, how does Yuki offend her grandparents during dinner?

5. What emotions does Hideki feel after Yuki leaves for Nagasaki?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine Yuki's friendship with Sachiko, a relationship that marks yet another loss in the protagonist's life.

Part 1) Why is Yuki drawn to Sachiko?

Part 2) Compare and contrast Yuki and Sachiko. What is the main conflict in their relationship?

Part 3) What does Yuki learn from Sachiko?

Part 4) How does the loss of Sachiko's friendship affect Yuki? Is Yuki a better person for knowing Sachiko? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss how the author's choice to include multiple points of view changes the perceptions of the reader.

• How has including the perspectives of other characters changed the role of Yuki? Has it influenced how one views her?

• Does reading the point of view of another character allow for more understanding or sympathy? Why or why not?

• How has this narrative technique helped the story? How has it hindered it?

• Why has the author chosen these particular sections to switch the point of view, particularly in the epilogue? What are some possible reasons to do so?

Essay Topic 3

Explain how Yuki uses art and color as a vehicle for expressing her emotional condition throughout the novel. How are her feelings communicated indirectly through artistic language or interpretation? What are some examples of instances in the novel when Yuki is able to best describe her state of being through art-related metaphor? How does each character respond to art in a way that is relevant to the story?

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