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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 Tagomi do to spite Reiss?
(a) Signs for the release of Frank.
(b) Reports him to the Third Reich.
(c) Communicates only through his assistant.
(d) Makes an appointment with vom Meere.

2. In Chapter 11, who is revealed to be the mystery Abwehr, Rudolf Wegener?
(a) Nobuke Tagomi.
(b) Frank Frink.
(c) Herr Baynes.
(d) Joe Cinnadella.

3. As the dinner and the conversations in Chapter 7 continue, what realization does Childan come to about the Kasouras and all Japanese?
(a) They are egocentric.
(b) They are creative.
(c) They are generous.
(d) They are artificial.

4. What word best describes the mood at the Kasouras' home during Childan's visit?
(a) Tense.
(b) Promising.
(c) Cheerful.
(d) Sorrowful.

5. In Chapter 9, where does Joe suggest he and Juliana go?
(a) To San Francisco and find Frank.
(b) To Italy to visit his family.
(c) To Denver to shop and play.
(d) To New York for better jobs.

Short Answer Questions

1. At the start of Chapter 7, what is Childan's reason for being at the home of the Kasouras?

2. The fate of what real group of people does Childan's statement, "I am an outsider in my own country" bring to mind?

3. What is different about Joe's hair when he comes out of the barbershop?

4. What does Reiss find is his main role in the plan to capture Wegener?

5. Having a shadow cut off the sun just as Tagomi begins to read into the sun's effect on the jewelry in order to emphasize his mood is an example of the use of what literary device?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 13, when Juliana questions the change in Joe's appearance, he replies, "I'm tired of being a wop." What changes in Joe does she witness? How can his statement be interpreted in more than one way? What is being implied here?

2. Wegener speaks of the political situation of the Third Reich and its plans for Japan. As he explains what the Japanese must do to protect their own interests and country, Tagomi grows more and more upset. Why, if Wegener is trying to help, is Tagomi so disturbed?

3. The Kasouras seem to be obsessed with the American way and their American guest and go out of their way to treat him as an equal. How is this demonstrated? What aspect of early 1960s America does this reflect?

4. In Chapter 8, Reiss receives two messages about individuals who have come into the PSA. What does he learn? What can we assume as a result?

5. As Childan reflects on how his beliefs have been shaken, he pities himself as being a salesman who has to deal with people like Tagomi, who, in his words, "by merest reflection manage to rub my nose in it, make my life miserable." In what way does this statement take an ironic twist in light of how he treats McCarthy and makes plans for Edfrank Jewelry?

6. Juliana's words and thoughts seem jumbled and senseless at one point in Chapter 13 as she says things like, " Hair creates bear who removes spots in nakedness." and "However, only woman." What is the cause of this gibberish and disorientation? Do you feel this type of dialogue enhances or distracts from the storyline? Why?

7. In Chapter 7, the reader learns more about Childan through his dialogue with the Kasouras and through a further glimpse into his inner thoughts. What do we learn about his political and cultural views? What does this say about his character? Are his views justified? Has your opinion of him changed at all since you first met him in Chapter 1?

8. Back in the park, Tagomi thinks of his perception of the world as an optical distortion saying, "our space and our time creations of our own psyche, and when these momentarily falter ... all sense of balance is gone." What does this mean? How does it relate to Tagomi's present state of mind?

9. How has Tagomi's most prized possession a "perfectly preserved U.S. 1860 Civil War Colt .44, a treasured collector's item" changed in significance as the story progresses?

10. When the police approach Frank and arrest him, Frank thinks, "This is what the times require of us." What does this quote mean? What is the real reason Frank is being arrested? How does this arrest in this society reflect the quote?

(see the answer keys)

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