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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 does Matsu tell Stephen about Sachi as a child?

2. Who does Sachi say was Matsu's opposite?

3. What does Stephen's mother's letter tell him about her plans in the letter he receives in May of 1938?

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

5. What story does Sachi's caregiver in Yamaguchi tell her?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Stephen describe as his memories of Keiko?

4. How does Stephen feel when Matsu walks in and interrupts Sachi's story?

5. What do Stephen's lack of journal entries due to rebuilding in Yamaguchi indicate?

6. How does Sachi incorporate flowers in her garden?

7. What is Sachi's relationship with Michiko?

8. Does Stephen feel that he is at danger from the war?

9. Why aren't there any journal entries for a month after Kenzo's funeral?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Blame and shame are recurring themes in the novel, although they sometimes are related to honor and loyalty. Choose one of these four themes (blame, shame, honor, or loyalty) that you think most shapes the tone of the story.

1) Give at least three examples to support your statement.

2) Explain if or how that theme is related to the other three listed above.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

For each of the gifts listed below, explain who it was to and from, what the reason for the gift was and how it affected the giver or receiver.

1) Daruma doll

2) Yoken

3) Paint brushes

4) Lucky stones

5) Another of your choice

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 785 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample