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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 Ono believe would make Shintaro happier?

2. Why does Ono's wife object to being investigated to get the house?

3. What does Ono promise the youngest Sugimura sister?

4. Why is Setsuko uncomfortable with Noriko's talk about Ono?

5. Where has Ichiro heard English spoken?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Ono decide to watch Mitsuo during the miai?

2. What does Shintaro ask Ono to do for him?

3. How does Ono acquire his house for less than half its value?

4. Why does Ono feel compelled to confess his activities during the war during the miai?

5. Why didn't Ono object to Noriko's marriage into a family that was below their station?

6. What is the difference in Noriko's behavior between her first and second miai?

7. What is the likely reason for Miyake's sudden withdrawal from the marriage negotiations?

8. How does Taro behave during the miai?

9. Why does Enchi ask Ono to leave when he learns who he really is?

10. How does the Migi-Hidari show its loyalty to the emperor?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What difference do you see in the way Ono interacts with his daughters and his grandson and the way Noriko describes his earlier behavior as a father? Do you trust her description? Do you think he has changed? Analyze Ono's development as a father based on his daughters' responses to him.

Essay Topic 2

Twice in the story, authority figures burned Ono's paintings. Compare the two situations. Did they have the same purpose? Were they trying to help the young man or hurt him? How do you know? Use textual evidence to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 3

There are several places in this story where a character's speech does not reflect their actual opinions. Setsuko's conversations with her father are examples. Select and analyze a scene where you are able to establish that what is being said is not genuine. How do you know? How is the writer able to convey that double message to you as a reader?

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