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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. In what guise does Eiji fantasize that he sneaks into Akiko Kato's building?

2. At the beginning of Chapter Four, in what predicament does Eiji find himself?

3. Who gets Eiji his job by arranging an interview for him with Mrs. Sasaki?

4. Who has kidnapped Daimon and Eiji?

5. Who do the yakuza men lock up with Eiji in Chapter Four?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does Eiji initially think "father" is in Chapter Four, and who does "father" eventually turn out to be?

2. What does Eiji's fantasy about masquerading as an aquarium cleaner to meet Akako Kato reveal about his character?

3. Discuss Eiji's playing of video games in Chapter Three and what the video games symbolize.

4. What rumors has Anju overheard about her mother?

5. What happens to Mr. Aoyama in Chapter Two?

6. Describe Eiji's habit of nicknaming people.

7. Why does Eiji engage in so much fantasy and daydreaming?

8. What is the significance of the third person viewpoint in the scenes describing Eiji's first drug experience and his experience with Velvet?

9. What does Eiji's helping Daimon after the yakuza injure Daimon indicate about Eiji's character?

10. Who is Buntaro and what is Eiji's relationship with him like?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Eiji has multiple jobs. Compare and contrast his job at Ueno Station, his job at the Shooting Star video store, and his job at Nero's Pizza. Why does he take each job, what does he learn at each job, and what role does each job play in helping him come to terms with his turbulent family history?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the significance of the John Lennon song Number Nine Dream to the novel. What does John Lennon tell Eiji in his dream that the song means? How do Lennon's references to ghosts and loneliness relate to Eiji's life? What do you think the author is trying to say through the use of the song in the novel's title and in the dream sequence?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the following father and son relationships: Eiji and his father, Eiji's father and grandfather, and Daimon and his father. Do any of these relationships seem happy? What cultural events or conflicts might some of these relationships reflect? Cite examples from the text to support your arguments.

(see the answer keys)

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