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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. What does Rodrigues now feel for his former teacher?

2. What does the interpreter try and persuade Rodrigues to do?

3. With whom did Inoue formerly consult?

4. What happened to Yokose-no-Ura?

5. What does Rodrigues convince the guard to give him?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Rodrigues contradict his own advice during his captivity?

2. How can Rodriguez's actions in Chapter 5 be deemed as wrong?

3. Describe Rodrigues' new life in Japan.

4. Describe Rodrigues' meeting with the five samurai.

5. What do Rodrigues and Inoue discuss in Chapter 7?

6. What routine does Rodrigues settle into in Chapter 6?

7. From what does the snoring sound come?

8. What do Ferreria and Rodrigues talk about in Chapter 7?

9. Why did Ferreira decide to apostatize?

10. What happens to the elderly man in Chapter 6?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Pick a character from the novel and discuss his goals and motives. Does he achieve his motives? Why? Does he share similar goals and motives with other characters? Do his goals clash with other characters? How does the character's goals and motives affect his interaction with other characters?

Essay Topic 2

Silence is described as historical fiction and therefore the reader would expect aspects of the novel to be historically accurate. What parts of the novel do you think have to be accurate? In what parts does Endo need to exaggerate the truth and why? Can such a book ever be regarded as an accurate historical account?

Essay Topic 3

Endo was a Catholic. Using two examples from the novel, discuss the ways the story reflects Endo's beliefs and the problems he may have faced as a part of a minority group.

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