The Strangeness of Beauty

Who is the unnamed character in the passage?

• the maid

• the soldier

• the dentist

• the father

What is the setting?

• Pre-WWII

• Pre-Industrial Revolution

• Late 20th century

• An unspecified time in the pre-modern past

Where is most of the story (in this excerpt) set?

• Just inside Chie's house

• Just outside Chie's house

• In Chie's drawing room

• In the courtyard of Chie's house

How would you describe Akira's tone?

• Determined

• Sarcastic

• Excited

• Optimistic

Which best describes the setting?

• A cold, rainy night

• A warm, humid night

• A cool, breezy evening

• A bright, clear morning

What was Akira's current status?

• Accomplished musician

• Practicing dentist

• Student

• Teacher

What reaction did Chie expect from Naomi when she said, "Imagine! He thinks he can marry the Fuji heir and take her to America all in the snap of his fingers!"

• laughter

• surprise

• admiration

• condescension

What simile did the author use?

• like a cat making off with a fish

• like a cat on a hot tin roof

• like a cat in a bag

• like a cat's paw

The author used the simile "like a cat" to describe the way Akira...

• took her ease.

• took her breath away.

• took his time.

• took what he wanted.

How did both Akira and Naomi convey their seriousness to Chie?

• by their tone of voice

• by looking directly at her

• by their confident posture

• by refusing to eat