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

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

3. Why does Toranaga worry about Blackthorne?

4. Why is it dangerous for Toranaga, disguised as Kiri, to reach for the scroll Ishido brings?

5. How does the galley get safely into the harbor?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does John Blackthorne arrive in Japan?

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

3. Why does Blackthorne not take Rodrigues up on the offer to copy his rutters?

4. How is the conflict between Toranaga and Ishido presented as Ishido is introduced into the novel?

5. How is the Portuguese pilot, Rodrigues, introduced into the story?

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

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

8. Why does Blackthorne want to get on board the Erasmus?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay of at least two typewritten, double spaced pages on the topic, How Traders Made Their Living. Start with the idea that trading went on long before there were systems for monetary exchanges. Use information from SHÅŒGUN about the European/Chinese/Japanese trade practices worked. Include the more familiar trade between China, India, and Europe in the days of Marco Polo. At what point in that system does actual money come to play?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay of at least two typewritten, double spaced pages on the topic, Loyalty in SHÅŒGUN. Using Mariko as your example, show how the code of the samurai is complete loyalty to a Lord. When a mission fails or the samurai is prevented from doing his or her work, the honorable way out is seppuku. Conclude with the extent you think loyalty is important in your life today.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay of at least two typewritten, double spaced pages on the topic, Earthquakes and Japanese Houses in Shōgun. Describe the destruction of Blackthorne's house in the earthquake as well as the houses of other people in the area. Mention the wooden construction with paper walls and why this type of construction makes sense in a place constantly threatened by earthquakes. Discuss the advantage wood construction has over mortar construction in an earthquake.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 696 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample