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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 long did Komura's wife spend in front of the television after the earthquake?

2. Who is Keiko?

3. Where did Yoshiya's mother go?

4. How did Junko feel about attending school before she ran away?

5. What best describes Keisuke?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Miyake call Junko?

2. Why were Komura's friends puzzled by his marriage?

3. Why did Junko run away from home?

4. What is one of the realizations Yoshiya has on the pitcher's mound?

5. What happens to Yoshiya at the end of the story?

6. What joke does Shimao make about what's inside the package Komura delivered?

7. What did Mr. Tabata tell Yoshiya about his father?

8. Why does Yoshiya still live with his mother?

9. Why did Miyake never stock up on groceries?

10. Why did Yoshiya not believe he was the child of God?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Some stories, like "super-frog saves tokyo," blend reality with surreal elements. Analyze how Murakami intertwines reality and fantasy to communicate deeper truths.

Essay Topic 2

Write about the theme of emptiness, comparing and contrasting at least two stories from the collection. What does emptiness represent? How does Murakami represent emptiness?

Essay Topic 3

Many characters in the stories are at turning points in their lives. Analyze the significance of two moments of decision or indecision and how they shape the narratives they are part of.

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This section contains 575 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample