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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. Other than money, what does Joncour have for his trip to Japan?
(a) The names of 3 men: a Chinaman, Dutchman and Japanese man.
(b) Passage already booked ahead of time.
(c) A good map.
(d) His luggage.

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

3. What happens in Japan after Joncour's second trip?
(a) The silk worms get disease.
(b) A civil war begins.
(c) The harbors are closed for good.
(d) The country is split into two distinct sides.

4. Where does the mistress hide the note when Joncour gives it back to her?
(a) In her pocket.
(b) In her mouth.
(c) In the folds of her dress.
(d) In her purse.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How far away is China from Japan?

2. What does Baldabiou say it is like to hold Japanese silk?

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

4. What color flowers does Madame Blanche wear?

5. When does Joncour arrive back in Lavillidieu from Japan?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. Do you think Joncour's feminine attributes played into his father's decision that Joncour should pursue a life in the military? What does this say about the character of Joncour's father? What does this say about Joncour?

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. Why does Joncour arrive in Hara Kei's village on foot? What message is he sending to the mistress?

5. 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?

6. On his second trip to Japan, Joncour sits at the lake with Hara Kei and they are described as "Holding their peace." What do you think the author means by this? Where else have you heard this expression? Do you think there is a connection between a reference to a wedding and a mistress?

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

8. 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?

9. After his travels to Africa, how does Joncour describe his trip when someone asks? Why does he not give a better description?

10. 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?

(see the answer keys)

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