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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 Yoshiya pray for each night before bed?

2. What was Komura actually thinking about while in bed with Shimao?

3. What did Komura read on the airplane?

4. What put Yoshiya's mother in an unhygienic state?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Miyake call Junko?

2. How was Miyake connected to the Kobe earthquake?

3. Why did Yoshiya not believe he was the child of God?

4. Describe Komura's wife.

5. What did Mr. Tabata tell Yoshiya about his father?

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

7. What do Miyake and Junko decide to do after the fire dies down?

8. Describe Yoshiya's relationship with his mother.

9. How does Shimao reassure Komura?

10. What does Mr. Tabata say about Yoshiya's mother's pregnancy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare Murakami's treatment of the earthquake's aftermath to other literature or media that deals with the aftermath of tragedies or disasters. What parallels can you draw? Use textual evidence to support your argument.

Essay Topic 2

Consider the role of dreams for characters like Satsuki and Sala. What is the significance of dreams in this story? Describe the line between reality and imaginary in this book.

Essay Topic 3

In what ways do the characters in the stories embark on journeys (literal or metaphorical) to discover or reclaim their identities?

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This section contains 603 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample