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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does McCarthy tell Frank he has a plan to get for their business?
(a) Approval from the Japanese Ministry.
(b) Shop space from an uncle.
(c) Financing from their former boss.
(d) Materials from an old friend.

2. What is Childan in the business of selling?
(a) Abandoned real estate.
(b) Local modern art.
(c) Japanese made souvenirs.
(d) Historic American artifacts.

3. What contradiction does the Oracle's message predict that leaves Frank confused?
(a) Good fortune and doom.
(b) Long life and death.
(c) Business success and poverty.
(d) Love's return and loss.

4. What does the order in which languages are used in making airline announcements symbolize?
(a) Educational priorities.
(b) Class structure.
(c) Geographic patterns.
(d) Multicultural diversity.

5. What do phrases like "the fussy, brisk voice," "barely polite," and "deliberately mispronounced his name" initially tell us about Tagomi's character?
(a) He is uneducated.
(b) He is insecure.
(c) He is overworked.
(d) He is arrogant.

Short Answer Questions

1. As Chapter 6 closes, what does the manila envelope that Frank and McCarthy receive contain?

2. Why has Paul Kasoura come to San Francisco?

3. What does Juliana suggest to Joe is the reason for his overall bitter attitude?

4. What does Frank's memory of the landlord Omuro being beheaded by the Japanese Mission because of profiteering off ex-servicemen say about the Japanese?

5. How do the Kasouras differ from Tagomi in their treatment of Childan?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Childan's and Frank's perception of the Germans and the Japanese differ? What motivates these views?

2. Childan says of the Kasouras, "these new young people, of the rising generation, who did not remember the days before the war or even the war itself, - they were the hope of the world." What is meant by this? How do the Kasouras appear to prove him right?

3. What is Childan's plan when he makes an appointment with his supplier, Ray Calvin? What does this further reveal about his character? Do you feel this is a realistic reaction?

4. What is the source of the conflict Frank faces over his reading of the I Ching? How does he finally interpret this message? What does he decide as a result?

5. Chapter 1 introduces the setting of the novel as being in San Francisco twenty years after World War II. What signs are there that there has been a different outcome to this war from the history as we know it?

6. At the close of Chapter 6, we find Frank and McCarthy excited about starting their jewelry business. Despite this, Frank has some real concerns. Why? Are they legitimate?

7. In Chapter 1, the author introduces the characters of Mr. Tagomi and the Kasouras as clients of Childan through the juxtaposition of conversations he has with each. What do we learn about each as a result? How do these clients compare?

8. Wyndam-Matson and his girlfriend get into a long discussion about historicity. What is historicity? What point does Wyndam-Matson make about it? How is this idea supported in the novel?

9. In Chapter 4, Frank speaks of Gresham's Law. What does this law suggest? How does Childan's reaction to the discovery about some of his merchandise reflect his understanding of the importance of this law?

10. In the novel's society, outward appearance is an important part of being accepted. How is this reflected through the characters of Childan and Tagomi as they prepare for important meetings? Do you think there is truth in this practice even today?

(see the answer keys)

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