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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. How old are the lotus seeds that a lotus doctor manages to get to blossom?

2. How much younger is Kinu than Mrs. Ikeda?

3. When did Viscount Takagi die?

4. What are Mrs. Ikeda and Kinu having for supper the night Shingo goes to talk to Kinu?

5. What bird is in an ink wash by Watanabe Kazan that Shingo describes?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Shingo forget how to do in Chapter 16?

2. What does Kikuko read about Aihara in the newspaper?

3. Why hasn't Shingo been giving Kikuko an allowance?

4. How does Kikuko describe the branches at the base of the cherry tree?

5. How is Shingo dealing with the yatsude?

6. How does Shingo describe a young girl who wants a seat saved on a train?

7. Why did the president of a boat and yacht company decide to disappear with his wife?

8. What does Kikuko explain about the ringing of the bell for the anniversary celebration?

9. Why did Kikuko decide to see a widowed friend who gives tea lessons?

10. Why does Shingo take his shoe off his right foot on the train?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Frequently when Shingo is attending business dinners, geisha are part of the evening's entertainment. Discuss geisha and their role in 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 calls himself a murderer by remote control. Discuss why Shingo feels that he is a murderer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 560 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample