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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. In Chapter 8, what does Shingo compare marriage to?

2. Who wakes Shingo early on New Year's Day?

3. With whom did a geisha consider committing suicide?

4. How old is Shingo?

5. What type of flowers grow near Shingo's neighbor's house?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Kikuko go to the University Hospital?

2. What music is Kikuko playing at the beginning of Chapter 3?

3. In Chapter 6, what does Shingo see at an inn after he makes arrangements for guests of his firm to visit?

4. What sound does Shingo hear when he wakes in the night in Chapter 1?

5. Why was Kitamoto put in a mental hospital?

6. What is noticed about the trees in the garden after the typhoon?

7. With whom did Shingo go dancing one night?

8. What type of a person was Toriyama?

9. Why does Kikuko have a scar on her forehead?

10. Describe Shingo's family.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Shingo appears to have changed the most in the novel. Discuss how characters did or did not change through the course of the novel.

Essay Topic 2

The Ogata family attends a Kabuki play. Discuss Kabuki plays, and the play that the family attended.

Essay Topic 3

Shingo is told the story of an old friend who pulled out his hair and who then was put into a mental hospital. Shingo believed that there was an element of parody in the story. Discuss parody and the story.

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