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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 put Yoshiya's mother in an unhygienic state?

2. According to Yoshiya, who is his father?

3. How long did Komura's wife spend in front of the television after the earthquake?

4. What is the truck that passes by Yoshiya's home selling?

5. What is the name of the portrait Miyake has been working on?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe Komura.

3. Why did Junko run away from home?

4. What did Junko learn about Miyake's family?

5. How was Miyake connected to the Kobe earthquake?

6. What does the note Komura's wife left behind say?

7. Why does Sasaki want Komura to go to Hokkaido?

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

9. What is the story about the UFO that the women tell Komura?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Murakami use music and literature as tools for characterization and theme exploration?

Essay Topic 2

In each of the stories in after the quake, the characters are experiencing their own problems that coincide with the aftermath of the earthquake. Explain how Murakami parallels personal disaster with natural disaster.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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