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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 Jiro do that is rude?

2. What does Yoshido say about Jiro?

3. To whom does Jiro apprentice himself?

4. What do Saburo and his band rob one evening?

5. What will Jiro be able to do someday if he is employed properly?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Jiro and his father sell their puppets?

2. Why is Jiro almost attacked and who saves him?

3. What do Saburo and his gang do one evening?

4. Why does Jiro make mistakes and how does his mother react?

5. How does Jiro being rude earn him an apprenticeship?

6. What does Yoshida tell Jiro when Jiro presents himself to the man and how does Kinshi reassure Jiro?

7. Who are the other apprentices?

8. How do some of the attendees feel about the resemblance of Joman to Saburo?

9. What does Isako bring to the theater and what does she tell Jiro?

10. What does Jiro discover when he goes to steal the script for the next play?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think The Master Puppeteer is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as The Master Puppeteer help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading The Master Puppeteer? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in The Master Puppeteer to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

(see the answer keys)

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