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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. What does Joncour do with the present given to him by the mistress?
(a) He sends her away.
(b) He shares tea with her.
(c) He lets her bathe him.
(d) He makes love to her.

2. What does Helene do with the gift that Joncour gives her after his first trip to Japan?
(a) She never wears it.
(b) She wears it to parties.
(c) She puts it in a trunk for her daughter.
(d) She wears it all the time.

3. What does Joncour do first when he arrives back at his home?
(a) Goes to Nice.
(b) Goes to his garden.
(c) Goes to High Mass.
(d) Goes to see Baldabieu.

4. What plant do the silk eggs live on as they hatch?
(a) Mulberry leaves.
(b) Raspberry leaves.
(c) Pin Oak tree bark.
(d) Palm tree branches.

5. What color flowers does Madame Blanche wear?
(a) White.
(b) Blue.
(c) Green.
(d) Red.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Joncour do for the rest of the year when he's not working?

2. What did Baldabiou do with all of his secrets about silk?

3. What happens to the town of Lavilledieu when the silk eggs fail?

4. What color dress is Hara Kei's mistress wearing when Joncour arrives and they are sitting at the lake?

5. What does Joncour drop by the dress as he leaves the lake?

Short Essay Questions

1. When the silkworm disease begins to spread in the early 1860s, Baldabiou observes that "nearly" all of the eggs are affected. What is he thinking? Where is he thinking of buying eggs?

2. Why does the young girl accompanying Hara Kei not have an Asian slant to her eyes? Does this give the reader a clue to her past? What?

3. How is Helene described? What is her most important attribute?

4. After Joncour is given the note, he stops for a moment on his way out of town when leaving for home. Why does he stop? What is he doing? What is he thinking? What message is he trying to convey?

5. It is against the law to sell silk eggs in Japan. Why is it reasonable in the eyes of the silk manufacturers to break a law in Japan? Are they concerned for the welfare of Joncour? Why? Why not?

6. When Joncour seeks out someone who can translate the note for him, Baldabiou informs him of Madame Blanche, but tells him not to ask her personal questions. Why do you think Baldabiou gives Joncour this suggestion?

7. For the third trip to Japan, who decides that Joncour should go? How much say does he have in this decision?

8. When Hara Kei tells Joncour that the mistress "doesn't speak your language", is he referring to more that French? What is he trying to tell Joncour?

9. Why does Madame Blanche tell Joncour that the girl will not die without him? Is she trying to help him? What does she know that he does not?

10. Why does Baldabiou share the secrets of silk? What does this say about Baldabiou?

(see the answer keys)

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