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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. Where does Natsuki's mother want to go instead of to the mountain house for Obon in Part II?

2. What type of creature is Piyyut?

3. What is one of Natsuki's jobs at the mountain house?

4. What secret does Yuu tell Natsuki when they are children?

5. What does Natsuki think her town is a factory for in Chapter 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Part II, why does the family decide not to go to Akishina for Obon?

2. What plan does Natsuki make to try to escape her misery?

3. What does Mr. Igasaki make Natsuki do early in Part II that is humiliating?

4. In Part II, why does Natsuki's family go to Obon after all?

5. What is really unusual about Natsuki's and Tomoya's marriage?

6. In Chapter 2, how does Natsuki refer to her town as an adult?

7. What refrain does Natsuki constantly repeat to her mother to please her?

8. What do the adults always ask the children to do at the mountain house when they first arrive which is part of tradition?

9. How do Natsuki and Tomoya meet?

10. In Part II, what does Natsuki desperately want to do with Yuu?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are the expectations for both men and women in Natsuki's society, as Murata describes them to the reader? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

How does Murata describe the effects of Natsuki's mother's favoritism on her childhood and adolescence? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

What reactions does Natsuki receive from nearly everyone she confides in about the abuse she suffers at the hands of Mr. Igasaki, and how does that affect her? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

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