View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. How does Blackthorne realize he is not going to be executed?
(a) they take him out of the prison courtyard.
(b) they give him a bath and new clothes.
(c) they tell him in Portuguese.
(d) they give him a musket.

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

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Blackthorne suspect about the daimyo, Kasigi Yabu, Lord of Izu?

2. What are the men given to eat?

3. What praise does Rodrigues give the Japanese sailors?

4. How does Toranaga leave the palace in Osaka?

5. How is Rodrigues when the galley arrives safely in Osaka?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Where are Blackthorne and his crew held prisoners?

3. How does Omi persuade Blackthorne to come out of the pit?

4. What does Blackthorne tell Toranaga at their first meeting that puzzled him?

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

6. Describe the change in Toranaga's orders related to Blackthorne after he is removed from prison.

7. How does John Blackthorne arrive in Japan?

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 644 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample