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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 do the letters say at the end?
(a) "We will not see each other anymore."
(b) "Go to the lake and think of me."
(c) "Have many children with your wife."
(d) "I am with Hara Kei now."

2. When Baldabiou leaves, what does he give to Joncour?
(a) His billiards table.
(b) 2 silk mills.
(c) His house.
(d) His silk jacket.

3. What activities do Helene and Joncour do while staying at the villa?
(a) They sit on the shore and soak up the sun.
(b) They dance the nights away.
(c) They gamble.
(d) They take carriage rides and explore the town.

4. What advice does Madame Blanche give to Joncour about the letters?
(a) To return to Japan for the mistress.
(b) To take a long vacation.
(c) To forget the mistress and be happy.
(d) To shower his wife with gifts.

5. When Joncour gets off the train and opens the eggs on his way home on the fourth trip, what does he find?
(a) The eggs are fine.
(b) All the eggs smashed.
(c) Millions of larvae dead.
(d) The eggs are gone.

Short Answer Questions

1. On the way home on the third trip, how long does it take Joncour to arrive home?

2. What does Joncour notice about the other passengers on the train as he travels home from his fourth trip to Japan?

3. Where does Joncour take the letter to be translated?

4. What is the boy playing who accompanies Joncour to find Hara Kei on the fourth trip to Japan?

5. Who builds Joncour's park?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Joncour finally tells Baldabiou about the girl in Japan he says, "To die of nostalgia for something you will never live," what does he mean?

2. On his final trip to Madame Blanche's, what does she tell Joncour about his wife that he did not know?

3. What does Joncour hear as Hara Kei hold the gun to his head? Describe the sounds of what is happening around him.

4. Why does Joncour fire his gun on the way out of town and startle the birds? What is he saying, and to whom? Who will get his message?

5. Why does Helene pretend not to notice the letters when they are clearly in plain sight?

6. When Joncour arrives home nine days late, what does he ask of his wife? Why does he ask her this?

7. The letter describes a sexual encounter but eludes to fact that it has already happened? What does this mean?

8. The envelope that Joncour receives is mailed from Ostend, which is in Belgium. Who do you think sent the letters knowing this information?

9. What happens the morning after Hara Kei's party? Why do you think Hara Kei left? How does Joncour find the aviary? What is this saying to Joncour?

10. For the fourth trip to Japan, who makes the decision to go? Why is this startling? Why does Baldabiou lie to everyone except Helene about the trip?

(see the answer keys)

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