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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 phrase does Kawaguchi use to explain why some people become more emotional in the presence of close friends or family?

2. Who comes to the cafe as a time traveler in the section titled The Sisters?

3. What color is the coffee used in the time travel ceremony?

4. What apron does Kei always wear working in the cafe?

5. Why did Fusagi write such short letters to Kohtake?

Short Essay Questions

1. What natural gift does Hirai have that seems to serve her well in business?

2. How would you describe the relationship between Kohtake, Kazu and Kei?

3. Why is Kohtake stunned that Fusagi has written her a letter?

4. What is the first rule of time travel that will be no problem in Kohtake's case?

5. What explanation does Hirai eventually give for her strange behavior at the cafe in Part IV?

6. What does Nagare ask Hirai that stops her in her tracks in Part IV?

7. Why does Hirai think Kumi wants to convince her to come back to help run the family business?

8. What does Fusagi say to Kohtake that guts her in Part III?

9. How does Hirai feel after visiting Kumi in the past?

10. What does Hirai do in haste that has a bad outcome in Part IV?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In general, how does Kawaguchi explain the relationships between the husbands and wives who are main characters in this novel? How would you describe the dynamics of these relationships as Kawaguchi presents them? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

Why does Fusagi have such difficulty expressing his emotions to his wife, Kohtake, and how does Kohtake eventually try to understand what his true feelings about both their marriage and his illness are? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

How does Kawaguchi use flashbacks to help develop his characters throughout the novel? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your answers.

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