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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 can the old woman that Shimamura meets in the latter half of Part One of the book tell about him from his physique?
(a) That he is a father.
(b) That he works hard.
(c) That he does not drink.
(d) That he has a weak back.

2. What does Komako refuse to close one day when she is staying at the inn with Shimamura?
(a) A book.
(b) A door.
(c) A cabinet.
(d) A window.

3. What does Komako write in her diary?
(a) Notes about her patrons.
(b) Weather reports.
(c) Stories and poetry.
(d) Everything about herself.

4. How is Komako described by the old woman Shimamura meets in the latter half of Part One ?
(a) As popular with men.
(b) As a wonderful dancer.
(c) As the best musician around.
(d) As a dangerous woman.

5. What does Komako say her diary can confirm?
(a) How much money she has made working as a geisha.
(b) The date of her night with Shimamura.
(c) What the weather has been like any day of the last year.
(d) The promises Shimamura made her on his last visit.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Komako do when Shimamura tries to touch her chest?

2. Who or what appears on Komako's list the most?

3. Why does Komako blame Shimamura for sleeping with her?

4. In Shimamura's room at night, what does Komako say she will do until she has recovered from her ailment?

5. What does Komako make a list of?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do his mountain trips mean to Shimamura?

2. What opinions does Shimamura express about Komako's catalog?

3. Who does Shimamura observe on the train on his way to the resort town?

4. What distracts Shimamura after leaving his inn and the young geisha, and what does he do?

5. Why does Komako have to leave before daylight?

6. How does Komako express her liking of Shimamura when she visits his room at the inn on his second visit to the resort town?

7. What does Shimamura notice about Yoko's care of her sick companion?

8. What symbolism does Shimamura see in the reflection of Yoko's face in the window?

9. Who does Shimamura meet on his way home from Komako's room, and what impressed him about this person?

10. Describe Komako's situation at the time of her first meeting with Shimamura.

(see the answer keys)

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