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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 Stephen go to Tarumi?

2. What does Matsu reveal about his younger sister while he is in Yamaguchi with Stephen?

3. Why doesn't Stephen ask Matsu to go along on his visit to Sachi?

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

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

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Setsbun celebrated?

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

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

4. Describe Yamaguchi.

5. Describe the relationship between Kenzo, Matsu, and Sachi when Stephen first meets Kenzo.

6. Describe a daruma doll.

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sachi's kare sansui is, by definition, a dry garden. Although she has chosen to include the blue-purple flower, the garden is mainly made up of rocks that represent the ripples of water. Stephen calls it an illusion. It could also be called a dead garden.

1) Why do you think Sachi chose this type of a garden rather than one filled with life?

2) What does the later inclusions of the blue-purple flower represent?

3) Why does Sachi rearrange the stones frequently?

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

Celebrations play a role in the telling of this story.

1) Choose one celebration and explain why it made a difference to Stephen's growth, perceptions, or daily life.

2) Describe how a different celebration reminds you of a western celebration or one you have participated in. Explain how your or a character in the story found meaning in the celebration mentioned.

3) Write a narrative of a celebration from the point of view of a character who attended it.

(see the answer keys)

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