Location(s)
Medical Conflicts
Characters
Vocabulary
Random
100
Where do the women first get on a train?
in their hometown of Nanam
100
Explain how Honorable Mother's health and appearance declined throughout the novel.
At the start of the novel, she had black hair, a smooth face, and was in good health. As their journey continued, her hair turned gray, she had wrinkles and she moved slowly. At the end of her life, she said she was dizzy and tired. She had trouble breathing and was weak.
100
What does Yoko think about Ko?
She says Ko is bossy and mean. However, she sees that her sister really loves her and looks out for her.
100
expressing great pain
anguish
100
This book is a non-fictional memoir. (T/F)
True. This novel is TRUE. It's based on the author's life. It is considered a memoir, which is a short autobiography. It is also considered an odyssey, which is a story of travel and adventure.
200
What main locations (cities) did the women travel to in Korea? Explained what happened at each location.
Seoul - They were heading to Seoul to meet Hideyo. They first rode a train and then walked the rest of the way after the train was hit by bombs. They spent several weeks here waiting for him. Pusan - They traveled by train to Pusan. They stayed about a week, and then boarded a boat to Japan. The women struggled at both locations. Women were being attacked. They had to dig through trash cans for food to eat.
200
How did the dead baby's mother react to the medic's actions?
She threw herself off of the train.
200
Who helped the girls when their mother died? What did she do?
Mrs. Masuda Mrs. Masuda paid for Mrs. Kawashima's transport to the crematory. She also offered a place for Yoko and Ko to live after Honorable Mother died.
200
threatening
ominous
200
Yoko's introduction to Corporal Matsumura in Ch. 1 foreshadows that he will be important to the family later on in the story. (T/F)
True Corporal Matsumura saved the family at the end of the chapter by telling them to leave Nanam. He found Yoko and Ko by reading Yoko's essay in the newspaper. He helps the girls by sending them things they can use to make their handicrafts.
300
Where did the women stop on their journey? Why did Mrs. Kawashima was to stop here?
Kyoto Honorable Mother wanted Ko and Yoko to attend school. She felt that school and getting a good education was very important.
300
Mrs. Kawashima died in the arms of her daughters after returning from Aomori. (T/F)
False She died in Yoko's arms.
300
Why was Hideyo not able to be part of Japan's Imperial Army?
He deliberately (on purpose) failed the written test.
300
to restore confidence
reassurance
300
How did Mrs. Kawashima, Yoko, and Ko disguise themselves while walking to Seoul?
They shaved their heads and wore Korean Communist soldiers' uniforms.
400
How did the students at the Sagano Girls' School treat Yoko?
poorly They teased her. They were not kind.
400
What prevented the medical train from arriving at its final destination? What should have this not happened?
The train was a bombed. Medical trains were supposed to be safe from attacks.
400
Who was Mr. Naido? How did he help Yoko?
He was the custodian at Yoko's school. He helped her by saving school supplies from the trash. Yoko gave Mr. Naido cans and bottles she collected, and he gave her money for them.
400
survive
endure
400
What did Yoko and Ko use for their mother's urn?
They used her mess kit.
500
What was the destination Mrs. Kawashima, Yoko, and Ko were trying to reach when they got on the medical train?
They were heading to Seoul.
500
What injuries did Yoko receive from the bombing in the forest?
Her chest was wounded. She had a piece of metal in her ear. This impacted her hearing. These injuries were both infected, and Yoko was put into the hospital when they reached Seoul.
500
What is the full name of the story's author?
Yoko Kawashima Watkins
500
honored
prestigious
500
What items are hidden in Mrs. Kawashima's wrapping cloth?
The Kawashima family name seal, school records, money, and savings books.
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