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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the difference between the Erasmus and the galley headed to Osaka?
(a) the Erasmus has oars but the galley does not.
(b) the Erasmus is much larger than the galley.
(c) the galley is more rugged than the Erasmus.
(d) the Erasmus is built for the rough weather.

2. How do Blackthorne and his men determine which of them will be executed?
(a) selecting the youngest.
(b) selecting the oldest.
(c) drawing straws.
(d) arm wrestling.

3. What is the position of Toda Hiro-matsu?
(a) he is the shōgun's general.
(b) he is the provencial governor.
(c) he is Toranga's rival.
(d) he is Toranga's adviser.

4. When Blackthorne's name is called, what does he think at first?
(a) that they finally know how to pronounce his name.
(b) that someone is there to help him escape.
(c) that he is going to his death.
(d) that he is being saved.

5. What has Toranaga learned about his situation?
(a) he is scheduled to be executed.
(b) he is alone against the other four regents.
(c) he has developed a terminal illness.
(d) he has solid support of the other four regents.

6. What is Toda's plan for the Erasmus?
(a) to confiscate the ship for himself.
(b) to destroy the erasmus.
(c) to remove the canons from the ship.
(d) to confiscate the goods and the ship for Toranga.

7. What sentence is pronounced on Blackthorne's men?
(a) one of them must die.
(b) they must become slaves.
(c) one of them must kill the others.
(d) they will be deported.

8. How does Blackthorne divert attention from Toranaga in the palanquin?
(a) by doing a hornpipe dance.
(b) by pointing to the sky.
(c) by feigning a fit.
(d) by bowing low to Ishido.

9. Why does Rodrigues go aboard the Erasmus?
(a) guiding the Japanese.
(b) looking for the rutters.
(c) removing the canon.
(d) looking for Blackthorne.

10. Why does Toranaga deny the young widow the privilege of committing seppuku?
(a) because she is the sister of the shōgun.
(b) because she is young and will have more children.
(c) because he wants her to be publicly punished.
(d) because it is not allowed of women.

11. What question comes to mind when Blackthorne almost falls off the galley while Rodrigues is piloting?
(a) if the galley will make it to Osaka.
(b) if Rodriguez really knows what he is doing.
(c) if a sudden lurch was planned to get rid of Blackthorne.
(d) if Blackthrone could survive overboard.

12. Who comes to take Blackthorne from the pit?
(a) a courtesan.
(b) a young boy.
(c) Yabu himself.
(d) a priest.

13. What happens when Mariko's husband, Buntaro, is trapped at the end of the jetty?
(a) Rodrigues shows up to rescue him.
(b) he prepares to kill himself.
(c) he launches a bomb that blows up the jetty.
(d) he jumps into the ocean and swims away.

14. When Blackthorne wakes up and finds everyone swimming, what is Toranaga wanting to do?
(a) catch some fish.
(b) hurry on to land.
(c) learn English.
(d) learn how to dive.

15. How is Rodrigues when the galley arrives safely in Osaka?
(a) he is delirious.
(b) he is still unconscious.
(c) he is conscious.
(d) he is dead.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Blackthorne admit to Toranaga about the war between Spain and Holland?

2. Why does Toranaga not take the galley for his escape?

3. Where is Blackthorne taken out of respect for his position?

4. On the way to Osaka, what does Blackthorne do while Rodrigues naps?

5. Where does Blackthorne find himself once again?

(see the answer keys)

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