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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. Why does Matsu say he decides to visit Tama with Stephen?

2. What does Stephen decide to pray for?

3. What does Stephen learn about his father at the beach?

4. Why is Stephen embarrassed by his body?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What conflicting accounts of the war does Stephen hear?

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

3. Why does Stephen lie to his mother?

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

5. How does the removal of Sachi's scarf indicate her growing closeness to Stephen?

6. Describe a daruma doll.

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

8. How does Stephen feel about traveling to Tarumi?

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

10. How does Stephen describe Matsu's garden?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Stephen's budding relationship with Keiko is both exciting and frustrating for him. As their relationship progresses, and Stephen matures, his reaction to Keiko's responses also change. Document the progression of this relationship and explain how Stephen's personal growth and maturity is reflected in his actions and feelings.

Essay Topic 2

Honor is a theme explored in many circumstances and relationships in the Samurai's Garden. In regards to Stephen's parents, their marriage and the way both dealt with the revelation of his father's affair, discuss what it means to be honorable. Give specific examples and explain why you believe that his parents did or did not act honorably in each one. What do you feel they should have, if anything, done differently? What information that you do not have would change your perceptions of them and their actions?

Essay Topic 3

One technique used frequently in this story is to go back in time to fill in the gaps of a character's life or an event. Unlike a flashback where a character recalls an event, characters in this book must tell Stephen their story, or even retell someone else's story.

1) Explain how the story of Michiko might change as Sachi retells it to Stephen.

2) Compare and contrast an event told first hand from Stephen with one told through a retelling.

3) Argue the benefits and drawbacks of the author's decision to use this method of storytelling.

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