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

Short Answer Questions

1. At the end of Chapter 16, what does Masa do at the open window?

2. During an argument over dinner, what does Hanae accuse Yuki of being?

3. What does Takeo dream about in Chapter 14?

4. In Chapter 11, what reason does Yuki give for not wanting to fall in love?

5. In Chapter 10, why is Yuki unable to sleep the night Mr. Kimura visits the house?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Yuki dresses differently than her peers, and her clothing holds a special place in her heart.

• Explain Yuki's emotional attachment to her clothes. Why are they so important to her? What role do they play in preserving her mother's memory?

• Examine the scene in which Aya asks Yuki to change her clothing for the wake.

• Why is Yuki reluctant to do so? Analyze the symbolism of Yuki hiding in her closet, among her clothes, on the day of the wake.

• What is it about Yuki's clothing that disturbs her grandmother?

• When throws away the Yuki's childhood clothing, how does this act impact Yuki?

• What is Yuki's motivation for sketching the clothes her mother had made for her?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss how the author's choice to include multiple points of view changes the perceptions of the reader.

• How has including the perspectives of other characters changed the role of Yuki? Has it influenced how one views her?

• Does reading the point of view of another character allow for more understanding or sympathy? Why or why not?

• How has this narrative technique helped the story? How has it hindered it?

• Why has the author chosen these particular sections to switch the point of view, particularly in the epilogue? What are some possible reasons to do so?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 500 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample