View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Stephen's mother ask him to do?

2. What gift does Matsu give Stephen after the visit to Yamaguchi?

3. What does Sachi tell Stephen when she learns that Matsu was unaware of this visit?

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

5. What does Stephen decide to pray for?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Tomoko's death bring Sachi and Matsu closer?

2. How does Stephen feel about making friends with people once he is settled in the beach house?

3. How does Stephen describe Matsu's garden?

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

5. What does Stephen's father reveal about Matsu's history?

6. What implications are given that Matsu is becoming fond of Stephen?

7. Describe Yamaguchi.

8. Why does Kenzo call Sachi a monster?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It's clear that characters in this story affect the lives of others around them. Imagine Kenzo without Sachi, or Sachi without Michiko's influence. For three characters, choose a single person in the story that you think has the most influence on them. How would each character's life be different without that person?

Essay Topic 2

Marriage and fidelity are on Stephen's mind after the revelation of his father's affair. However, both Stephen and his mother seem to accept the new arrangement even if they don't like it. How would the story be altered if Stephen's father had never admitted to the affair? How would it change if Yoshiko had been introduced to Stephen? Would a more detailed history of the marriage between Stephen's parents be pertinent to the storyline? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 3

When Stephen overhears Kenzo's attack on Sachi, he remains silent. Should he have spoken up and defended her? Argue this point from both the opinion that he should have spoken up and from the perspective that he was wise to remain silent. Compare the way Stephen handles this situation with the way he handles another event in the story.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 899 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample