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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. When did Yasuko begin to look younger than Shingo?

2. What actor plays Benkei in the Kabuki play?

3. What did Grandfather Amamiya bring when he came to say that he was leaving?

4. What Kabuki play do Shingo, Yasuko, Shuichi, and Kikuko see in its movie version?

5. How many pieces of tin blew into Shingo's roof and garden?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Kikuko have a scar on her forehead?

2. What sound does Shingo hear when he wakes in the night in Chapter 1?

3. Describe the photograph of Toriyama that was at his funeral.

4. What does Yasuko tell her daughter when Fusako says that Shingo is nice to Kikuko?

5. What type of a person was Toriyama?

6. In "Chestnuts," what birds does Shingo see?

7. What does Shingo struggle to remember at the beginning of Chapter 1?

8. How did Mizuta die?

9. Describe the circumstances of Kikuko's birth.

10. What does Mrs. Ikeda think would help get Shuichi to leave his mistress?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Kikuko is considering giving tea lessons. Discuss tea lessons and why Kikuko considers giving tea lessons.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Yasuko and the relationship she had with her family--her parents and sister.

Essay Topic 3

The author uses descriptions of nature to illustrate or emphasize Shingo's state of mind. Discuss how descriptions of nature are used to illustrate or emphasize Shingo's state of mind.

(see the answer keys)

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