View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What praise does Rodrigues give the Japanese sailors?
(a) they work very cheaply.
(b) they never disobey orders.
(c) they row far past what a normal man would endure.
(d) they are very polite to the pilot.

2. Why does Blackthorne bow to Yabu?
(a) to beg for his life.
(b) for his superior air.
(c) for his allowing Blackthorne to save Rodrigues.
(d) for his bravery in saving the life of Rodrigues.

3. How is Rodrigues found the morning after the storm?
(a) alive and well at the bottom of a cliff.
(b) floating face down in the surf at the bottom of a cliff.
(c) barely alive at the bottom of a cliff.
(d) dead and mangled at the bottom of a cliff.

4. Why does Toranaga deny the young widow the privilege of committing seppuku?
(a) because he wants her to be publicly punished.
(b) because she is the sister of the shōgun.
(c) because it is not allowed of women.
(d) because she is young and will have more children.

5. How does Blackthorne justify deceiving the friar?
(a) because the friar may be a spy.
(b) by simply not telling everything.
(c) by recognizing the lies the friar tells.
(d) because he cannot explain in Spanish.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Blackthorne's name is called, what does he think at first?

2. What causes Toranaga to have trouble sleeping?

3. Where does Blackthorne find himself once again?

4. On the way to Osaka, what does Blackthorne do while Rodrigues naps?

5. After a few skirmishes, where does Blackthorne end up?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the Portuguese pilot, Rodrigues, introduced into the story?

2. How does Omi persuade Blackthorne to come out of the pit?

3. Why is the ship Toranaga is on unable to leave the harbor?

4. Describe the change in Toranaga's orders related to Blackthorne after he is removed from prison.

5. What is the diversion that allows Toranaga, dressed as a woman, to change places with Kiri in the palanquin?

6. Why does Yabu personally scale the cliffs to rescue Rodrigues?

7. What is the first indication of the brutality of the samurai in the novel?

8. After escaping the harbor, when Blackthorne awakes from his exhausted sleep, what does he find Toranaga doing?

9. Why does Buntaro prepare to commit seppuku at the end of a jetty?

10. What are Blackthorne's questions Toranaga tells Mariko not to answer?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 659 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample