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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. How do the boys feel about Kinshi?

2. Who does the character Joman resemble?

3. What has Jiro learned about his mother?

4. What is offered for Saburo's capture?

5. What is Mochida's response to Jiro's question?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the basic plot of the play?

2. What does Jiro offer to about the new play and what is the outcome?

3. What happens when Jiro goes home to see his mother?

4. What does the Shogun do about Saburo?

5. How do Jiro and the other boys feel about Jiro's assignment?

6. What play does Okada finish and what do the apprentices worry about concerning the new play?

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

8. What do Jiro and Kinshi think of Yoshida's performance?

9. What does Kinshi steal for a celebration and what happens?

10. What do Jiro and Kinshi get to do on stage during one performance?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think The Master Puppeteer is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of The Master Puppeteer, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in The Master Puppeteer. (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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