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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. What is the mood surrounding Stephen's visit to the Tama shrine?

2. To whose grave does Matsu take an offering?

3. What effect does Matsu say Tomoko's illness had on their relationship?

4. What does Stephen say he did at the celebration in Yamaguchi?

5. What does Sachi say was Kenzo's reaction when Sachi first told him she had leprosy?

Short Essay Questions

1. What activities surround Fumiko's arrival?

2. What is the tone of Keiko's meeting with Stephen at the shrine?

3. Describe Stephen's visit with his father.

4. How does Sachi incorporate flowers in her garden?

5. Compare Matsu and Tomoko as teenagers.

6. How does Sachi change after Michiko's death?

7. Where is the Kerria plant found and what does it mean?

8. Why does Penelope work for the Red Cross?

9. Who is Sumiko?

10. What information does Stephen get from Penelope's letter?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Although Stephen has never met Tomoko, her presence is strongly felt. This is also true of Michiko. Compare and contrast the two characters and analyze their contribution to the story line.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Stephen is often forced to make choices about confronting situations or staying silent and keeping the peace. For each of the following occurrences, explain why Stephen made the choice he did, what values impacted his chosen course of action, and how it affected both him and others in the long run.

1) His father's affair.

2) Keiko's father.

3) Kenzo's attack on Sachi.

(see the answer keys)

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