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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 does Takanatsu think Kaname should tell Hiroshi about his parents' marriage?

2. What is Kaname worried about facing if he gets divorced at the wrong time?

3. Where does Takanatsu live?

4. How long has it been since Misako had a good night of sleep?

5. In Chapter 6, what does Hiroshi imagine Takanatsu telling him on the train?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is O-hisa? What does Misako think of O-hisa?

2. In chapter 3, what does Kaname consider he has always hated? What does Kaname admit Osaka reminds him of?

3. What holiday does Misako think about in Chapter 6? What does she wonder about this day?

4. What does Takanatsu let Misako look at in his suitcase? What jokes does Takanatsu make to Misako, which she reacts to in seriousness?

5. In Chapter 3, what is Kaname moved by in the puppet show? What does he think the show perfectly conveys?

6. In Chapter 5, what personality trait do Kaname and Takanatsu acknowledge that Kaname and Misako share?

7. Why is Kaname conflicted about going to the puppet theater with his father-in-law?

8. In Chapter 7, what does Misako think will happen to her after her divorce becomes public knowledge?

9. What sort of woman does Kaname tell Takanatsu he is looking for? What does Takanatsu joke about Kaname's post-divorce life?

10. How did Takanatsu inform his wife he wanted a divorce?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of fantasy versus reality in the novel "Some Prefer Nettles." What are some of the fantasies that Kaname imagines throughout the novel? Why might he have these fantasies? How does his real life compare to his fantasies?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of traditional versus modernity in the novel "Some Prefer Nettles." What are some examples of the traditional way or life in the novel? What are some examples of the modern way of life? What does Kaname think of traditional living and modern living?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of marriage in the novel "Some Prefer Nettles." What problems are Kaname and Misako dealing with in their marriage? What does Kaname think of marriage in general? What does Misako think of marriage in general?

(see the answer keys)

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