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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. How many siblings does K have in the novel?

2. How many days before the narrator leaves for Tokyo does his father have a fainting spell in Part II, My Parents and I?

3. How old was General Nogi when he died?

4. What does Okusan bring to Sensei after he says he is not feeling well in Part III, Sensei’s Testament?

5. What does the narrator buy to put on the flag pole after Emperor Meiji’s death in Part II, My Parents and I?

Short Essay Questions

1. What explanation does Sensei give for his lack of earlier response to Soseki’s letter in Part III, Sensei’s Testament?

2. Where does K go during his first summer holiday from school in Part III, Sensei’s Testament? How does Sensei describe him when the holiday ends?

3. How does Sensei’s past, revealed in his final letter, explain his demeanor in the earlier parts of the novel?

4. When does Sensei tell Soseki he began to respect him in his letter in Part III, Sensei’s Testament?

5. How does Soseki’s family react when news is heard of Emperor Meiji in Part II, My Parents and I?

6. How does Soseki’s father’s health correspond to the newspapers in Part II, My Parents and I?

7. How does Soseki’s father’s health decline as Soseki is preparing to leave for Tokyo in Part II, My Parents and I?

8. How does K’s family dispute conclude in Part III, Sensei’s Testament? How does K feel about the situation?

9. How are Sensei’s early days with his adoptive family described in Part III, Sensei’s Testament?

10. How does Sensei know K? How does K defy his parents’ wishes in Part III, Sensei’s Testament?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Sensei’s opening words to Soseki in Part III, Sensei’s Testament. What does Sensei tell Soseki regarding their previous discussion of trust? How does Sensei explain his lack of correspondence after Soseki’s letter? When does Sensei say he began to respect Soseki?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the style and language of the novel. How does the language of Kokoro contribute to the tone of the narrative? What differences can be seen in the ways that Soseki and Sensei communicate verbally?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss the character of Soseki’s mother in the novel. How old is Soseki’s mother in comparison with her husband? What levity does Soseki lend to his mother’s advice and opinions? How does Soseki’s mother compare with Shizu?

(see the answer keys)

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