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

2. Why does Omi, nephew of Yabu, advise that the men from the shipwreck not be killed?
(a) because of their apparent dislike of the priest.
(b) because they might know something important.
(c) because they would amuse the shōgun.
(d) because it is not an auspicious day.

3. How does Blackthorne manage to get the galley safely out of the way of the flaming arrows?
(a) he lights fires on the galley to look like it is burning.
(b) he flies a Gray flag on the galley.
(c) he changes the direction of the galley.
(d) he sees an opportunity to go past the frigate.

4. How does Blackthorne justify deceiving the friar?
(a) by recognizing the lies the friar tells.
(b) by simply not telling everything.
(c) because the friar may be a spy.
(d) because he cannot explain in Spanish.

5. How does Yabu cover his attempt to get the ship's treasure and weaponry for himself?
(a) he lies that his men acted on their own.
(b) he lies that he was only inventorying the goods.
(c) he lies that he had orders from Toranga.
(d) he lies that he was doing it to keep them safe.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Blackthorne show his contempt for Father Sabastio?

2. What color signifies Toranaga's warriors?

3. Where does Blackthorne find himself once again?

4. What is the subject matter of the Prologue?

5. Before the storm, who comes on deck to see Blackthorne piloting the ship while Rodrigues sleeps?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the first indication of the brutality of the samurai in the novel?

2. When the samurai who fails to carry through on his actions is ordered to be executed, who is given the job?

3. How does Toranaga communicate with Blackthorne on their first meeting?

4. How close does Blackthorne come to being executed in Yedo after visiting Toranaga?

5. Why is Rodrigues swept overboard on the galley?

6. What prompts Blackthorne to attack Father Sabastio and desecrate his wooden cross?

7. During the galley trip to Osaka, what happens with the weather?

8. What is the political function of Yodoko in the novel?

9. Where are Blackthorne and his crew held prisoners?

10. Why does Yabu personally scale the cliffs to rescue Rodrigues?

(see the answer keys)

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