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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. Who does Osugi demand moves in with her?

2. Where does Oko allow the two men to sleep?

3. Which two characters threaten to kill Musashi?

4. Who cuts Takezo down from the tree?

5. What reason does Takezo give for returning to the village?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do Osugi and Gon want to kill Musashi?

2. How does Musashi feel about his talk with Nikkan?

3. What punishment so officials hand out to Takezo at the castle?

4. How does Takuan scare Takezo away from Otsu?

5. How does Oko prepare for Tsujikaze's visit?

6. How does Akemi try to kill herself?

7. What are the reasons Seijuro cannot fight in this chapter?

8. Why do the priest say they killed the men?

9. How does Jo's father show his torment in this section?

10. Why does the blacksmith want to kill Musashi?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the author's writing style. How would you describe the author's prose style? What kind of vocabulary does he use? What meaning does the author's style give to the story?

Essay Topic 2

How do the books work as a series? Why did Eiji Yoshikawa decided to write a series of books instead of just one? How does Eiji Yoshikawa develop the story and character throughout the series?

Essay Topic 3

Pick two characters from the book and discuss their goals and motives. Do they achieve their motives? Do they share similar goals and motives with other characters? Do their goals clash with other characters? How do the characters' goals and motives affect their interaction with each other?

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