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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 type of people did Mrs. Saeki write a book about?

2. What is the first thing Nakata requests after waking from his nap?

3. After Nakata dies, who inherits his ability to understand animals?

4. What beverage does Kafka bring to Mrs. Saeki every day at the same time?

5. Which of the following items is NOT a theme in the song "Kafka on the Shore"?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does evil try to escape Limbo?

3. How do Nakata and Hoshino know that the entrance stone is working?

4. What conversation does Hoshino get into with the elderly coffee shop owner the day that the entrance stone is flipped?

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

6. How does Colonel Sanders explain his physical form to Hoshino?

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

8. How does Mrs. Saeki react when Kafka confronts her about the possibility that she is his mother?

9. Why does Colonel Sanders bring Hoshino to the religious shrine?

10. What does Mrs. Saeki ask Nakata to do with her memoirs?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

While in the library one day, Oshima makes a startling confession about his sexuality. First, explain the truth behind Oshima's sexuality as he described it to Kafka. Then, explain how Oshima's confession affected the gender roles presented in the novel thus far.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

When Kafka is still a young child, he decides to run away from home. First, explain the circumstances leading up to Kafka's decision to leave home. Then, describe the items Kafka took with him during his escape and the process through which he chose these items. Finally, describe at least two characters that helped Kafka during the initial days of his plan.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 850 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample