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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What did Komura's wife write in her note to him?
(a) I am never coming back.
(b) I will be back in two weeks.
(c) I went to help people after the earthquake.
(d) You are the worst person I have ever met.

2. Which character's thoughts does the reader have access to in this story?
(a) Kamura's mother-in-law.
(b) Shimao.
(c) Kamura's wife.
(d) Komura.

3. What was Junko doing when Miyake called?
(a) Reading a romance novel.
(b) Watching television.
(c) Playing guitar.
(d) Writing a story.

4. What did Keiko encourage Komura to do at the hotel?
(a) Order some food.
(b) Watch the news.
(c) Take a bath.
(d) Call his wife.

5. Why did people often notice Miyake?
(a) His hands were always shaking.
(b) He was a sharp dresser.
(c) He was extremely tall.
(d) He had a Kansai dialect.

6. Who says that "life is nothing but a short, painful dream" (67)?
(a) The man with the missing earlobe.
(b) Yoshiya's mother.
(c) Yoshiya.
(d) Mr. Tabata.

7. Who says, "No matter how far you travel, you can never get away from yourself" (11)?
(a) Shimao.
(b) Keiko.
(c) Komura's wife.
(d) Sakiri.

8. What did Komura read on the airplane?
(a) Dry business books.
(b) Novels about bears.
(c) Political news.
(d) Earthquake reports.

9. According to Funko, what has become almost a sickness for Miyake?
(a) Bonfires.
(b) Pain.
(c) Earthquakes.
(d) Shopping.

10. According to Yoshiya, why can he not get married?
(a) He wants to be a spiritual guide.
(b) He is the son of God.
(c) He does not want to have children.
(d) He has to take care of his mother.

11. What put Yoshiya's mother in an unhygienic state?
(a) He announced he was leaving the faith.
(b) He announced he had a girlfriend.
(c) He announced he was leaving home.
(d) He announced he was getting married.

12. According to Miyake, what can reveal the inside of a person?
(a) Water.
(b) Devastation.
(c) Love.
(d) Fire.

13. What was Yoshiya's last utterance in "all god's children can dance"?
(a) "Oh Father."
(b) "Oh Mr. Tabata."
(c) "Oh God."
(d) "Oh Mother."

14. Which character claims to feel "completely empty" (42)?
(a) Miyake.
(b) Kamura.
(c) Junko.
(d) Keisuke.

15. How did Junko feel about attending school before she ran away?
(a) It was dull.
(b) It was torture.
(c) It was the only thing she looked forward to.
(d) It was too easy.

Short Answer Questions

1. What drew Kamura's wife to the television?

2. How old is Miyake?

3. At the end of the story, where does Junko fall asleep?

4. Where did Yoshiya's mother go?

5. What best describes Keisuke?

(see the answer keys)

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