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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the beginning of Chapter 12, why does Yuki wait until midnight to sneak into the attic?

2. In Chapter 16, what does Tadashi do when Masa asks for his help weeding the garden?

3. What lesson does Yuki fail to learn from her grandfather?

4. As Yuki lies down to bed, what is she trying to imagine?

5. What does Mr. Kimura teach when he meets Yuki in Chapter 10?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore the concepts of individuality versus conformity through the character of Yuki in the novel.

Part 1) In what ways does Yuki conform to society's expectations of her?

Part 2) In what ways does Yuki assert her independence?

Part 3) Relate Yuki's desire to forge her own path to the time period in which the novel is set. In what way is her desire to live by her own rulebook representative of a larger societal trend?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss how the book benefits from the author's choice to include flashbacks within many of the chapters.

Part 1) Why are the flashbacks important in defining characters? What are some examples when a flashback has brought new and interesting facts about a character to light?

Part 2) When considering the novel's overall theme of remembrance, why are flashbacks an appropriate vehicle for the story?

Part 3) What are the disadvantages to including flashbacks? What are the merits?

Essay Topic 3

Explore the mother-daughter relationships in the novel.

Part 1) Describe Shizuko's relationship with Yuki.

Part 2) Is Shizuko a traditional Japanese mother? Why or why not? In what way is Shizuko a role model to her daughter?

Part 3) Compare and contrast Yuki's relationship with Shizuko to Yuki's relationship with her stepmother Hanae.

Part 4) Compare and contrast Yuki's relationship with Shizuko with Sachiko's relationship with her mother, Mrs. Murai.

(see the answer keys)

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