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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 Book One: Chapter 6, "The Safest Place in the World," what has been happening to Natsu's menstrual cycle recently?

2. In Book One: Chapter 2, "To Be More Beautiful," how often does Makiko call Natsu after their initial conversation about breast augmentation surgery?

3. In Book One: Chapter 5, "Up All Night Talking," what does Natsu learn about Makiko's financial situation?

4. In Book One: Chapter 5, "Up All Night Talking," how does Makiko react to Natsu's rent situation?

5. In Book One: Chapter 4, "Out For Chinese," what is Midoriko's reason for not going to the baths with her mom?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Book One: Chapter 4, "Out For Chinese," describe the atmosphere and setting of the Chinese restaurant where the characters are dining. How does the environment reflect the restaurant's reputation?

2. In Book One: Chapter 2, "To Be More Beautiful," how has Makiko's behavior changed regarding her decision to undergo breast augmentation, and what does Natsu notice about their late-night conversations?

3. In Book One: Chapter 5, "Up All Night Talking," how does the conversation between Makiko and Natsu about the man whose ex-wife returns after 20 years reflect the theme of societal expectations?

4. In Book One: Chapter 3, "Whose Boobs Are They?" who is Yamagu, and what memories does Natsu associate with her?

5. In Book One: Chapter 1, "Are You Poor?," what unusual communication method has emerged between Makiko and her daughter, Midoriko? How long has this been going on, and what are Makiko's thoughts and feelings about it?

6. In Book One: Chapter 4, "Out For Chinese," how does Natsu's memory of the Chinese restaurant and Kewpie reflect their personal experiences and the changing dynamics of the community?

7. In Book One: Chapter 6, "The Safest Place In The World," in Midoriko's journal entry, she contemplates the process of fertilization and the development of eggs. How does this reflection reveal her anxieties and concerns about womanhood, and what does it imply about societal expectations?

8. In Book One: Chapter 1, "Are You Poor?," how does Natsu and her sister manage to survive after their mother's death, and what do they do to support themselves financially during their teenage years?

9. In Book One: Chapter 6, "The Safest Place In The World," how does the act of cleaning the blood-stained sheets and the exchange with Midoriko in the bathroom underscore the mother-daughter dynamic in the story?

10. In Book One: Chapter 2, "To Be More Beautiful," how does Natsu feel about Makiko's decision to consider welfare as a potential financial support option, and why does Makiko hesitate to consider it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Book Two: Chapter 10, "Choose From The Following Options," explore the ethical implications of assisted reproduction, specifically focusing on the secrecy and anonymity surrounding sperm donation in Japan. Address the challenges faced by children born through donor sperm who later discover the truth about their biological parentage.

Essay Topic 2

In Book Two: Chapter 17, "Not Letting Go," analyze the significance of revisiting Natsu's childhood neighborhood with Aizawa in the context of their relationship and the theme of nostalgia.

Essay Topic 3

In Book One: Chapter 5, "Up All Night Talking," analyze the interactions between Natsu and her sister, Makiko, and their conversation about the rent situation. Discuss how the portrayal of the landlord's visit and Natsu's reflections on past financial difficulties shed light on the challenges faced by individuals living in expensive urban areas like Tokyo.

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