View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What kills the messenger Blackthorne is talking to on board the Erasmus?

2. What has Omi done in preparation for the arrival of Toranaga and Yabu?

3. Where does Blackthorne ignore an insult from Ishido?

4. What is in the coded message to Blackthorne from Yabu?

5. What interrupts the party?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Toranaga attempt to make peace between Buntaro and Mariko?

2. Why does Mariko travel to Osaka with scrolls for Kiri and Sazuko?

3. How does Omi further attempt to ingratiate himself with Lord Toranaga?

4. What proposal of Blackthorne's meets with opposition from Toranaga?

5. Why is Ochiba unsure of the parentage of Yaemon who is thought to be the son of Taikō?

6. Why does Toranaga lose his temper when Buntaro requests permission to kill Blackthorne?

7. What is Blackthorne's surprise about the rebuilding of his house after the earthquake and fire?

8. What does Blackthorne find when he is given permission to visit his crew from the Erasmus?

9. Describe Blackthorne's introduction to Kiku.

10. How has the Japanese influence rubbed off on Blackthorne when he visits his crew?

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, Comparison of Samurai Brutality and Inquisition Torture. Your essay should include examples of torture methods used by both. Next, make a case for the inappropriate moral judgment of samurai use of torture and cruelty by Westerners. Conclude with your opinion about torture and human rights in general.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay of at least two typewritten, double spaced pages on the topic, The Absurdity of Religious Wars. Use Toranaga as an example when he can scarcely believe that wars in Europe have centered around religious differences. Discuss the oxymoron of a "holy war." Give examples from history to the present day when war has been declared over religion.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay of at least two typewritten, double spaced pages on the topic, What I think Happens to Blackthorne. Begin with Blackthorne's being given Kiku as a wife and everything he needs to build ships without knowing that Toranaga plans to destroy them all. Speculate on what you think ultimately becomes of Blackthorne. Give three possible scenarios: (1) he manages to get away by himself on a ship before Toranaga can destroy it; (2) he manages to get away with Kiku on a trading ship that comes to Osaka; or (3) he settles in comfortably with Kiku and remains in Japan for the rest of his life.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 758 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample