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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Stephen decide to pray for?
(a) For his full recovery.
(b) For his mother's happiness.
(c) For his parents' marriage.
(d) For all the problems in his life.

2. Where does Stephen meet Kenzo?
(a) A marketplace.
(b) A teahouse.
(c) Sachi's house.
(d) Matsu's garden.

3. Who is the person who meets Stephen at the train station in Tarumi?
(a) Pie.
(b) Matsu.
(c) Henry.
(d) King.

4. What important event occurs at the beginning of Stephen's November journal that leaves him feeling lost?
(a) He discovers a dying part of the garden.
(b) He completes the picture of the painting.
(c) He hears news of the Japanese Army.
(d) He receives a message from his father.

5. Who sends Stephen a letter telling of the massacre in Nanking?
(a) His mother.
(b) His father.
(c) King.
(d) Henry.

6. What does Stephen receive from his mother in November?
(a) A visit.
(b) A package.
(c) A telegram.
(d) A letter.

7. Who does Keiko say is in the Japanese army?
(a) Her cousin.
(b) The man she was engaged to.
(c) Her brother.
(d) Her uncle.

8. What does Stephen expect to be his only solace in Tarumi?
(a) Painting.
(b) Writing in his journal.
(c) Swimming in the ocean.
(d) Creating a garden.

9. Why do Stephen and Matsu go to the shrine?
(a) To meet Sachi.
(b) To celebrate the first rites of spring.
(c) To help the wounded.
(d) To pray for the soldiers in the war.

10. Why does Sachi often rearrange the stones in her garden?
(a) To change the garden's appearance.
(b) To bring luck.
(c) To help her relax.
(d) To arrange the best irrigation for her plants.

11. Why does Stephen go to Tarumi?
(a) He is ill and is sent away for the cooler weather and to avoid infecting others.
(b) His father wants him to learn about the import-export business.
(c) Stephen's sister is sick and he is sent away to avoid getting the disease.
(d) Stephen's mother is concerned he is becoming too reclusive.

12. What two people do Stephen and his father discuss shortly before his father's departure?
(a) Henry and Anne.
(b) King and Stephen's mother.
(c) Pie and Keiko.
(d) Matsu and Matsu's sister.

13. How does Sachi say Tomoko died?
(a) The disease killed her.
(b) She drowned herself.
(c) She took her life with a fishing knife.
(d) She was poisoned.

14. How do Kenzo and Matsu make amends?
(a) They don't.
(b) They bow.
(c) They exchange a look, but no words.
(d) They speak, but Stephen does not know what is said.

15. How does Stephen feel about his father leaving Tamuri in October of 1937?
(a) Melancholy.
(b) Relieved.
(c) Sad.
(d) Angry.

Short Answer Questions

1. What explanation is given for the names of the children in Stephen's family?

2. Who says, "A Japanese woman would never do such a thing," and to whom is that person referring?

3. Who is Tomoko?

4. Why does Stephen originally buy the journal?

5. Why is Stephen embarrassed by his body?

(see the answer keys)

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