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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. What gifts did the Emperor never receive?

2. What will the U.S. get compared to other nations in the future?

3. When was the latest ratification that take place of the treaty?

4. What did the Japanese do as the Americans passed by?

5. What did some of the Americans collect?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was the first approach the Japanese took towards the United States request for a treaty?

2. What did the Japanese do after the treaty and what impressed the Americans about the Japanese?

3. How did the Japanese believe they had saved face, but did they really?

4. Where did the Commodore and staff go and what bothered the Commodore about the women there?

5. How did the two cultures meet face to face and what did the people of the two countries think of the other?

6. What was the Commodore's first impression of Shimoda.

7. What gifts most fascinated the Japanese?

8. What horrified the Japanese about the Americans at the banquet, but how did the Japanese behave anyway?

9. Who was Sam Patch and why was he terrified? What happened?

10. Where did Commodore Perry decide to visit?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Japan had maintained a fairly rigid policy of isolationism for many years before Commodore Perry arrived, except for a brief period of more openness in the 1500s. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term isolationism mean in context of a country's foreign policy?

2. Discuss three reasons the ruling class of Japan may have had to maintain a policy of isolationism.

3. Discuss three reasons you think the policy of isolationism was not beneficial to the Japanese people.

4. Do you think in this century (end of first decade of 21st century), it is possible for

Essay Topic 2

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not? Do you think Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun has a "happy" ending?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Commodore is in some ways a larger-than-life hero, especially considering he is an historical personage. Despite incredible odds, he accomplishes his goals. Discuss the following:

1. Does having a larger-than-life hero make that person less of a hero? In other words, which is more admirable--a hero who ultimately always "lands on his feet," or one who strives against impossible odds and doesn't succeed?

2. Does a character have to be successful in order to be a hero? Would you have considered Commodore Perry a hero had he not obtained a treaty with the Japanese? Would he even be mentioned except in passing in history books? Explain your answer.

3. Choose one other character besides Perry who you might call a hero and explain why you choose that person.

4. Does every work of fiction have to have a hero? Explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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