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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 Kikuko prepare to give Shuichi for his hangover in Chapter 8?

2. What does Shingo observe that the fence is made of that is in front of the house where Shuichi's mistress lives?

3. What time is Shingo awakened by the noise Shuichi makes when he comes home drunk in Chapter 8?

4. What time of day does Yasuko listen to a news commentary?

5. Where does Shingo go to make arrangements for guests of his firm in Section 4 of Chapter 6? .

Short Essay Questions

1. With whom did Shingo go dancing one night?

2. How did Toriyama's wife torture him when she was going through the change of life?

3. What story did a geisha tell Shingo in Chapter 1?

4. What does Shingo struggle to remember at the beginning of Chapter 1?

5. In "Chestnuts," what birds does Shingo see?

6. Describe the photograph of Toriyama that was at his funeral.

7. Why do the sunflowers make Shingo think of heads?

8. How does Shingo attempt to make his wife stop snoring?

9. What does it mean when someone is called a "half a widow"?

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

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

Shingo's friend sells him some No masks. Discuss No masks and what they mean to Shingo, Yasuko, and Kikuko.

Essay Topic 3

Shingo begins to think about some of the things he hasn't done in his life. Discuss the three great sights of Japan and how Shingo feels about missing these sights.

(see the answer keys)

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