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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 did the president of a boat and yacht company live with his wife?

2. During rush hour, how often do trains on the Yokosuka Line run?

3. How many buds did a dwarf tree have that sits in front of the tobacconist's shop before they were pinched off?

4. Who is the first person to read the paper in Chapter 13?

5. How late is the shop open where Eiko works?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Americans get some ancient lotus seeds to sprout?

2. Why did the president of a boat and yacht company decide to disappear with his wife?

3. How does Kikuko describe the branches at the base of the cherry tree?

4. Why does Shingo suspect that his friend who had cancer died from suicide?

5. Why does Shingo take his shoe off his right foot on the train?

6. What wakes Shingo when he dozes on the train in Chapter 15?

7. How does Shingo describe a young girl who wants a seat saved on a train?

8. How did Kikuko get money for an abortion?

9. What does Kikuko explain about the ringing of the bell for the anniversary celebration?

10. How did Teru act last winter when Kikuko saw a snake at the kitchen door?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Shingo appears to have changed the most in the novel. Discuss how characters did or did not change through the course of the novel.

Essay Topic 2

Shingo calls himself a murderer by remote control. Discuss why Shingo feels that he is a murderer.

Essay Topic 3

Shingo refers to Kikuko as both injured party and absolver. Discuss what Shingo means when he refers to Kikuko as an injured party and an absolver.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 590 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample