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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. Where does Stephen see the "nicest Christmas tree I ever had"?
(a) In a memory of his youth in China.
(b) In Matsu's garden.
(c) At Keiko's house.
(d) In Sachi's garden.

2. What gift does Matsu give Stephen after the visit to Yamaguchi?
(a) A traditional garment.
(b) Part of the garden.
(c) A set of expensive paint brushes.
(d) A new canvas.

3. Why do Stephen and Matsu initially go to Yamaguchi?
(a) To deliver a message.
(b) To visit a friend of Matsu's.
(c) To deliver items from the garden.
(d) To get Stephen some fresh air.

4. What does Stephen's mother ask him to do?
(a) Talk to his father about his affair.
(b) Find out about his father's affair.
(c) Come home in her time of need.
(d) Return to his father's home in Japan.

5. How does Stephen describe the houses in the village of Yamaguchi?
(a) As sores on the already pained landscape.
(b) As being pieced together from scraps.
(c) As a mish-mash of leftovers.
(d) As small domiciles of peace.

Short Answer Questions

1. How is Kenzo's body disposed of?

2. What two people do Stephen and his father discuss shortly before his father's departure?

3. What is Stephen's first impression of the person who meets him at the station?

4. Who does Stephen say he is happy to discover he will spend New Year's with?

5. How does Stephen first feel when seeing the condition of afflicted villagers?

Short Essay Questions

1. What agreement do Stephen's parents seem to come to after his father's visit?

2. How does Stephen react to the news in his mother's November,1937 letter?

3. How does the visit to Sachi impact the relationship between Stephen and Matsu?

4. Describe Yamaguchi.

5. How do Stephen and Keiko's father interact when they meet in the village after Kenzo's burial?

6. How is Setsbun celebrated?

7. Describe the state of Stephen's relationship with Keiko when she gives him the yoken.

8. Describe a daruma doll.

9. Why does Kenzo call Sachi a monster?

10. Describe Sachi's house during the New Year's celebration?

(see the answer keys)

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