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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 Jiya do when he witnesses the devastation of the big wave?

2. Where does Jiya think he is when he awakens?

3. Kino's father sells rice and __________________ at the fishing village.

4. Kino's father insists that his family allows Jiya to recover ______________________.

5. Why did Setsu not see the big wave?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Kino sometimes wish his father were a fisherman and other days glad that his father is a farmer?

2. What does Kino want to do with Jiya after they eat dinner?

3. How does Jiya show that he is still in shock during the meal?

4. What does Jiya do when he sees the devastation of the big wave?

5. What does Setsu's excitement about Jiya's becoming a part of their family foreshadow?

6. How does Kino's father divert Kino's thoughts from the destruction of the big wave?

7. What gift does Setsu offer to Jiya when he is distraught over the loss of his family?

8. Why does Kino's father tell Kino that it is good for Jiya to get more sleep?

9. What does Kino's father say about Jiya's crying and what the family will do to let him mourn?

10. What does Kino's father say about every day that comes after the storm?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Project into the future ten years and write a brief synopsis for the lives of Kino's father, Kino, Jiya and Setsu. Be sure to include emotional states as well as physical characteristics, geographic locations, work, hobbies, socialization, etc.

Essay Topic 2

Pearl Buck is a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphor, and irony, and briefly describe them and identify the technique which they embody.

Essay Topic 3

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of loss. Identify at least two themes about loss in the book. Then cite an example to support each theme you name.

(see the answer keys)

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