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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 is Joncour wearing on the last leg of the journey into Japan?
(a) Dark glasses.
(b) A blindfold.
(c) A suit.
(d) A shirt and shorts.

2. How much money does Joncour have for his trip to Japan?
(a) 10,000 dollars.
(b) 20 yen.
(c) One million francs.
(d) 80,000 francs in gold.

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

4. What kind of living does Joncour make with the silk trade?
(a) He is poor by city standards.
(b) He does not make very much money.
(c) He is the wealthiest man in town.
(d) A good living.

5. When Joncour tries to communicate with the mistress in front of Hara Kei, what does he say to Joncour?
(a) "She doesn't know your language."
(b) "She is not yours."
(c) "She cannot hear you."
(d) "She only speaks Japanese."

Short Answer Questions

1. How far does Joncour travel for eggs on his first trip outside of Europe?

2. What does Joncour do with the present given to him by the mistress?

3. What did Baldabiou ask Joncour about when he returned from Egypt?

4. What happens in Japan after Joncour's second trip?

5. Who discourages commercial trade with Japan after Joncour's second trip?

Short Essay Questions

1. How many silk eggs can you hold in your hands? Why did they refer to this as "a fortune in your hands"?

2. Why are the silkworms of Japan not affected by disease? What is their history of trade?

3. 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?

4. When Joncour meets the Englishman in Japan who is selling guns, he asks about the girl. What is the Englishman's reply? Do you think the Englishman has seen the girl? Do you think he knows more than he is saying? What?

5. Is Joncour really disinterested in what is happening in Japan as the novel progresses? Is he following the news? Does he care if he ever gets back? What is holding his interest in his leisure time?

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. Describe how silk eggs hatch and what happens to them.

8. When Baldabiou first broaches the idea of going to Japan for silk eggs, why do the local silk manufacturers not know anything about Japan?

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

10. What happened when Jean Berbeck decided not to speak anymore? Why is this significant information in getting to know the character of Joncour?

(see the answer keys)

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