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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 Massashi say has sent him to deliver a message to the bandits?

2. Which two characters does Iori overhear talking?

3. What does Jo fear in this section?

4. What is Musashi charged with stealing from?

5. Which member of the criminal faction does Musashi kill?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Musashi know that Kojiro is in town?

2. Why is Musashi happy he is not accepted to an official position?

3. What is Kojiro motivation for becoming a samurai?

4. What sacrifices does Sannosuke have to make to become Musashi's student?

5. How does Matahachi mistakenly kill the man who stole from him earlier?

6. How does Musashi attack Denshichiro and his followers on the mountain?

7. How does Daizo con Matahachi in this section?

8. Why does Musashi agree to stay with Yoshino at her teahouse?

9. What does Jo admit under questioning from Takuan?

10. How does Gempachi know Matahachi killed Tenki?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the construction of Yoshikawa's argument.

1. How does he introduce his ideas?

2. How does he construct his ideas to come to logical conclusion?

3. What weaknesses and strengths can you identify in Yoshikawa's argument?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss elements of the narrative structure: exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the book's themes?

Essay Topic 3

Identify the main themes of the story. In what way are these themes relevant to the period? How does the author use character and setting to express these themes?

(see the answer keys)

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