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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 word does Naoko call "a man's word"?

2. Why was Toru on the train the day he ran into Naoko?

3. Who sings the title song, "Norwegian Wood"?

4. How long has Naoko been at Ami Hostel?

5. Why is Toru sad at the end of Chapter 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Naoko tell Toru in the letter she sent him in July 1969?

2. What does Toru assume about the name of Ami Hostel?

3. How did Toru first meet Naoko?

4. Why does Naoko get angry at Toru in the meadow?

5. How does the dining hall at Ami Hostel compare to the dining hall at Toru's dormitory?

6. What was the "field well"?

7. What is Midori's job?

8. How did Toru become friends with Nagasawa?

9. Why is Toru writing this book?

10. How did Toru feel about joining Nagasawa's womanizing expeditions?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the themes of this novel is the superficiality of things and people and the world. Discuss how Murakami develops this theme in "Norwegian Wood."

Essay Topic 2

In the beginning of the novel, Toru says that from Kizuki's death he learned that death is not separate from but part of life. How is this philosophy carried out through the rest of the novel?

Essay Topic 3

In what way does Murakami use sex to represent the ways in which people communicate with one another? Please use at least three examples.

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