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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. To whose grave does Matsu take an offering?

2. What is said about the shantytowns by Pie in her letter?

3. What does Penelope do for the Red Cross?

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

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

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Keiko let Stephen know she is interested in him despite her father?

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

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

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

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

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

7. How does Keiko feel about her father's behavior?

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

9. Discuss Hiro.

10. What do the readers know about the relationship between Fumiko and Matsu?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

While Stephen is the main character in the story, there are also many supporting and minor characters that add to his tale. Choose one other main character, one supporting character, and one minor character. For each one, compare and contrast him or her with Stephen and give examples of how that person affected his life in positive or negative way.

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