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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 is pachinko?

2. When Nakata falls asleep, how long does he usually slumber?

3. Whose spirit does Mrs. Saeki think is living inside Kafka's body?

4. What color is the entrance stone?

5. What is the name of the philosopher that the prostitute recites, that Hoshino meets?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened to the two soldiers that went for a walk in the woods surrounding Oshima's cabin?

2. Why does Oshima wake Kafka in the middle of the night with a frantic phone call?

3. How does Kafka react to the desolate village that the Japanese soldiers guide him to?

4. How does Mrs. Saeki respond when Nakata bursts into her office demanding to talk about the entrance stone?

5. What is the origin of Kafka's name?

6. What does Kafka decide to do with his life after emerging from Limbo?

7. While wandering through the woods, what disturbing dream does Kafka have about Sakura?

8. What book did Mrs.Saeki write after collecting interviews?

9. How does Kafka react when he is approached by the Japanese soldiers in Oshima's woods?

10. Why did Mrs. Saeki first open the entrance stone?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Through the use of the entrance stone, Nakata realizes that humans can fully interact with the spirit world. First, explain how Nakata got his hands on the entrance stone. Then, explain how Nakata figured out how to use the entrance stone. Finally, explain what Nakata learned about himself through the use of the entrance stone.

Essay Topic 2

The woods surrounding Oshima's cabin are a place of great wonder to Kafka. First, explain Kafka's initial reaction to the woods and explain how his opinion of this place changed throughout the course of the novel. Then, give at least two examples of lessons Kafka learned about nature due to the time he spent in Oshima's woods.

Essay Topic 3

Both Kafka and Nakata are inexplicably drawn to Southern Japan in search of healing. First, describe the circumstances that draws each man away from his home. Then, compare / contrast the relief each man finds upon finally reaching his destination.

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This section contains 830 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample