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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. Who reassures Komura that somebody will love him?

2. What did Shimao and Komura watch on television?

3. According to Miyake, what can reveal the inside of a person?

4. What had vanished when Yoshiya woke up?

5. What did Miyake buy in the mornings?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What do Miyake and Junko decide to do after the fire dies down?

3. How does Shimao respond to Komura saying that he's come a long way?

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

5. How does Shimao reassure Komura?

6. Why does Yoshiya still live with his mother?

7. Why did Junko run away from home?

8. Why did Miyake never stock up on groceries?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Mr. Tabata says, "This life is nothing but a short, painful dream" (67). How does this relate to each of the stories in after the quake?

Essay Topic 3

Which character grows the most in these short stories? Make a point for this character's growth using at least five pieces of evidence from the text.

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