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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. Which famous artist is discovered stabbed to death in his home on the day fish fall from the sky?

2. What complaint do the two stern women make about the staff at the public library?

3. Which of the following characters suggests that Nakata finds the other half of his soul?

4. What creature falls from the sky while Nakata is watching the beating at the truck stop?

5. Where did Mrs. Saeki's boyfriend attend school?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Sakura?

2. What realization does the white cat, Otsuka, make about Nakata?

3. What does the elementary school teacher admit is the truth of what happened to Nakata in the woods?

4. Who is Adolf Eichmann, and what note did Oshima scribble in the margins of his book?

5. What unusual prophecy does Nakata make before leaving the police station?

6. What confession does Oshima make when the stern women accuse him of being misogynistic?

7. What does Kafka steal from his father before he runs away from home?

8. What note does Sakura leave for Kafka when she leaves for work in the morning?

9. What advice does Crow give to Kafka before they run away together?

10. In what situation is it possible for a body and soul to become separated without the body dying?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Kafka is homeless, he lives many places. Choose two of the places Kafka lives after leaving his home and compare / contrast the settings. Then, explain what Kafka learns about himself directly through his experiences in these varied settings.

Essay Topic 2

Johnny Walker is a malevolent character who seeks entrance to the afterlife. First, describe the character of Johnny Walker and the way that he meets Nakata. Then, explain the way that Johnny Walker has been living and through what means he steals the souls of living creatures. Finally, explain why Nakata was given no choice but to kill Johnny Walker.

Essay Topic 3

While at the cabin, Oshima gives Kafka an ominous warning about the soldiers who visited these woods during the war. According to history, what happened to these soldiers when they were in Oshima's woods? What is Oshima worried will happen to Kafka if he ventures too far away from the cabin?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 831 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample