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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. What did Komura's wife write in her note to him?

2. Who is Keiko?

3. How long was Komura married?

4. Where does Yoshiya's cab take him?

5. Why did Yoshiya's mother travel?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why were Komura's friends puzzled by his marriage?

2. How is Miyake able to paint?

3. What did Yoshiya pray for each night?

4. Describe Keisuke.

5. Why does Miyake like fire?

6. Describe Komura's wife.

7. How does Shimao reassure Komura?

8. What joke does Shimao make about what's inside the package Komura delivered?

9. Describe Yoshiya's predicament when he wakes up at the beginning of the story.

10. How was Miyake connected to the Kobe earthquake?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Some stories, like "super-frog saves tokyo," blend reality with surreal elements. Analyze how Murakami intertwines reality and fantasy to communicate deeper truths.

Essay Topic 2

Several people in Murakami's stories are described as "ordinary." In after the quake, what does it mean to be ordinary? What do the "ordinary" characters have in common? What do you think Murakami means by this?

Essay Topic 3

Murakami made the intentional decision to use lowercase letters when titling the book and the short stories it includes. Why do you think this? How does this relate to the stories and themes in the book?

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