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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. What had Kafuku's marital state been at the time he bought his new convertible car?
(a) His wife had recently died.
(b) He had recently been divorced from his wife.
(c) He had recently been married to his wife.
(d) His wife had still been alive.

2. What emotion does Kitaru's long-time girlfriend feel about her boyfriend's suggestion that Tanimura take her out on a date?
(a) Anger.
(b) Pride.
(c) Sadness.
(d) Curiosity.

3. The last line of the story "Drive My Car" states that Kafuku feels in what way about Misaki's silence in response to his comment that he is going to sleep for a little while?
(a) Sad.
(b) Lonely.
(c) Annoyed.
(d) Grateful.

4. Kafuku comes away from his meeting with Oba with the impression that his new driver will be all but which of the following things?
(a) Close-mouthed.
(b) Brusque.
(c) Beautiful.
(d) Not at all cute.

5. Tanimura describes Kitaru as looking like a "sensitive, well-brought-up city boy" (50) until he takes what action?
(a) Opens his mouth.
(b) Stabs a friend in the back.
(c) Puts on unfashionable clothing.
(d) Starts to walk.

Short Answer Questions

1. The narrator states that the conversations between Kafuku and Takatsuki always come back to what topic?

2. Kafuku thinks upon meeting his new driver that there is something what "about her face" (7)?

3. Tanimura's father had worked in what position during Tanimura's childhood?

4. At 18, Tanimura had thought that what quality "constitutes who we are as people" (45)?

5. What baseball reference does Tanimura use to indicate how far he had gone sexually with his girlfriend before going to college and breaking up with her?

Short Essay Questions

1. What evidence does Kafuku give for his claim that Misaki Watari is an "excellent driver" (9)?

2. How does Tanimura characterize the Kansai dialect spoken by his friend Kitaru?

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

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

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

6. How is the theme of regret depicted within Kafuku's reflections on his late wife and their life together?

7. How does Kitaru justify to Tanimura his butchering of the lyrics to the Beatles' song Yesterday?

8. Describe Misaki Watari's appearance.

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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