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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. Where does Stephen meet Kenzo?

2. Who is Keiko with when Stephen first sees her?

3. What reason does Stephen's father give for sending his mistress a large sum of money?

4. What is a kado-matsu?

5. Who does Stephen meet in Yamaguchi?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe Sachi's garden.

3. Describe a daruma doll.

4. Describe the relationship between Stephen and his father in the beginning of the book.

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

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

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

8. How does Stephen feel about traveling to Tarumi?

9. Why does Stephen lie to his mother?

10. What is Stephen's physical condition when he first arrives at the beach house in Tarumi?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The act of suicide is an ongoing theme in this story. Tomoko, Kenzo, and many lepers chose to take their own lives. Sachi did not, although her own father wanted her to in order to restore family honor. Compare and contrast the suicides of Tomoko and Kenzo and other people's responses to them. What were the benefits and drawbacks of their decisions? What were the benefits and drawbacks of Sachi's decision not to take her own life to both her self and the people closest to her?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Nature is an important setting throughout Stephen's journal and journeys. Choose three separate natural locations or events and:

1) Explain what purpose they serve

2) Relate them to Stephen's growth as a character

3) Describe how the story would change without them

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 898 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample