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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What physical details are frequently used to identify Nagare to the reader?
(a) His almond-shaped eyes and large size.
(b) His jet-black, shaggy hair and calloused hands.
(c) His booming voice and crooked smile.
(d) His peaceful expression and slight stoop.

2. What is Fumiko's job?
(a) Television presenter.
(b) Systems engineer.
(c) Online marketing.
(d) Neurosurgeon.

3. What is Kurata's attitude after he speaks with Asami and finally drinks the last of his coffee?
(a) Irritated.
(b) Wistful.
(c) Defeated.
(d) Cheerful.

4. Who saved Yukio's life by performing CPR on him when he nearly drowned?
(a) Kinuyo.
(b) Kyoko.
(c) A passerby.
(d) Seiichi.

5. How does Nagare explain what happened to Kaname?
(a) Kazu forgot to explain all of the rules thoroughly.
(b) Kazu did not perform the coffee-pouring ceremony properly.
(c) She could not bear to return to the present without her husband.
(d) She was probably confused about how cold the coffee could get.

6. Who is the woman running the café when Kiyoshi returns to the past?
(a) Kaname.
(b) Kei.
(c) Kazu.
(d) Kinuyo.

7. What beverage does Kurata ask Nagare for at the beginning of the story?
(a) Cold water.
(b) Matcha.
(c) Orange juice.
(d) Eggnog.

8. Who is the source of most of Kiyoshi's information about the people who have traveled back in time in the café?
(a) Kazu.
(b) Miki.
(c) Kinuyo.
(d) Kyoko.

9. With whom does Kinuyo enter the café when Yukio is in the past?
(a) Yohsuke.
(b) Kyoko.
(c) A man Yukio does not know.
(d) Kazu.

10. When he is in the past, what sound startles Yukio just as he is beginning to relax and feel sleepy?
(a) The antique clocks chiming.
(b) The bell on the café door.
(c) An alarm beeping.
(d) His phone's ringtone.

11. What significant event on the previous day is part of the reason for the timing of Yukio's visit to the café?
(a) He received news that his creditors are calling in his loan.
(b) He found out that Kyoko believes he is angry at her.
(c) He finished filing for bankruptcy.
(d) He was dismissed from his apprenticeship.

12. Where did Kurata meet Asami Mori?
(a) At work.
(b) In college.
(c) Online.
(d) Through friends.

13. When Asami addresses Kurata "brusquely," what does this indicate her tone is (97)?
(a) Quiet, deliberately suppressing emotion.
(b) Uncertain, as if confused by the circumstances.
(c) Direct, not concerned with politeness.
(d) Angry, as if making an accusation.

14. When the narrator describes Kazu's voice as having "gravitas," what quality is he ascribing to her voice (67)?
(a) Confident authority.
(b) Quiet command.
(c) Restrained emotion.
(d) Formal seriousness.

15. What qualities of Kiyoshi's personality does the narrator's description of him emphasize?
(a) Kiyoshi is shy and quiet.
(b) Kiyoshi is curious and observant.
(c) Kiyoshi is analytical and detached.
(d) Kiyoshi is warm and friendly.

Short Answer Questions

1. What surprising event ends this story?

2. After Kiyoshi learns about the time-travel rules in the café, what does he become curious about?

3. What is implied when the narrator says that, upon hearing of his mother's death, Yukio "heard a tautly stretched string snapping inside his head" (66)?

4. Why is Nagare confused by Kiyoshi's desire to return to the past?

5. When Nagare pops his head out of the kitchen at the beginning of the story, what does he offer Kurata?

(see the answer keys)

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