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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. Kino's father says that living in the midst of danger _______________________.

2. In addition to his family members, what did the big wave take away from Jiya?

3. Why does Kino say that they are unfortunate to live in Japan?

4. Kino's father equates the gateway of death to the gateway of __________________ so that Kino can understand it.

5. What does Kino's father tell Kino when he and Jiya set off to see the Old Gentleman's castle?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where will Jiya build his house and what does he need in order to get started?

2. Describe how Jiya feels happiness when he returns to be part of Kino's family.

3. What explanation do the two men give when Kino asks what they will do if the big wave comes back?

4. How do people in the village measure time now?

5. How does Jiya prepare his house so that he and Setsu can live there and not be afraid of another big wave coming?

6. Why is the Old Gentleman frustrated with the young men building the house on the beach?

7. What is Kino's father's position on why Japanese people don't fear death?

8. Why is Jiya so restless after seeing the men building the house on the beach and what does Kino's family know about what Jiya will do?

9. Describe how Jiya spends the first days after the deaths of his family members.

10. What is the reason that the Old Gentleman comes up the mountain to see Jiya?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain what Kino's father means when he says that life is stronger than death? In what ways is this phrase exhibited in the story?

Essay Topic 2

Create a brief character study of Kino's father. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What motivates him--if anything--at this point in his life?

Essay Topic 3

Buck uses more than one instance of irony in the book. Cite at least two examples you can identify in the story and note why they are examples of irony.

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