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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. At what type of location do Kitaru, Tanimura, and Kitaru's long-time girlfriend meet for the first time?
(a) A train station.
(b) A beach.
(c) A coffee shop.
(d) A bookstore.

2. After a period of friendship with Takatsuki, Kafuku comes to the conclusion that Takatsuki had felt what emotion toward Kafuku's late wife?
(a) Real love.
(b) Puppy love.
(c) Sexual attraction.
(d) Mild affection.

3. Who is the narrator of the story "Yesterday"?
(a) Kitaru.
(b) Tanimura, Kitaru, and Erika.
(c) Tanimura.
(d) Tanimura and Kitaru.

4. On their date together, Tanimura and Kitaru's long-time girlfriend go to what location?
(a) A bar.
(b) A restaurant.
(c) The movie theater.
(d) A strip club.

5. What favor does the man who services Kafuku's car do for Kafuku at the beginning of the story?
(a) He gives Kafuku's car a free wash.
(b) He lies to Kafuku's wife about where he has been.
(c) He gives him a coupon for twenty percent off his next service.
(d) He recommends a driver to Kafuku.

Short Answer Questions

1. From what location does Tanimura hail?

2. When Haruki Murakami uses a simile to indicate Kafuku's level of trust in Oba, what metal does he reference?

3. What does Kafuku tell Misaki Watari is "a killer" (36)?

4. For how long had Kitaru been dating his long-time girlfriend before Tanimura had accompanied the couple on a date?

5. What is the last name of Kitaru's long-time girlfriend?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the theme of perseverance emerge within Erika's comments about Tanimura's break-up with his high school girlfriend?

2. What are the conditions of Misaki Watari's employment with Kafuku?

3. Provide a brief Marxist analysis of the story "Yesterday," focusing on one scene in particular to prove your claim.

4. What vivid image does Tanimura create to depict the character of Kitaru in the first few lines of the story "Yesterday"?

5. How does Kitaru feel about "things being smooth and comfortable" (52) in life?

6. Compare and contrast Kitaru's and Tanimura's feelings about taking baths.

7. How does Kafuku feel about Misaki Watari's tendency to remain quiet as she drives?

8. How do Tanimura and Kitaru first meet?

9. Discuss Murakami's use of Tanimura and Kitaru as character foils for one another.

10. Discuss the nature of Kafuku's love for his late wife.

(see the answer keys)

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