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

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

3. What is Blackthorne's position before the wreck of the Erasmus?
(a) navigator of the Omi.
(b) translator for the British.
(c) pilot-major of the trading ship Erasmus.
(d) captain of the Santa Theresa.

4. Why does Ishido Kazunari insult Toranaga?
(a) to challenge his samurai.
(b) to have an excuse for killing him.
(c) to precipitate a change in government.
(d) to see how he will react.

5. Who knows the true story of the death of Obata Hiro and Toranaga's grandfather?
(a) a blind masseur.
(b) Yabu's consort.
(c) a Portugese.
(d) an old priest.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Rodrigues carrying for Father Sebastio?

2. What has Yabu decided to do against direct orders.

3. How did the book Blackthorne looks for happen to be on the Erasmus?

4. Why does Toranaga deny the young widow the privilege of committing seppuku?

5. Who has instructions to answer every question except those related to politics?

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

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

4. What does Blackthorne insist on as soon as he gets the galley into a safe harbor?

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

6. How is tension presented in Toranaga's character after meeting Ishido?

7. What sets up the conflict between Blackthorne and Omi that lasts for the remainder of the novel?

8. What are Blackthorne's questions Toranaga tells Mariko not to answer?

9. What does Rodrigues tell Blackthorne about the Japanese rowers on board the galley?

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

(see the answer keys)

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