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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 ask Kinshi after the performance?

2. Who comes to take Jiro to Okada?

3. What is pinned to the door?

4. What do the other boys do for Kinshi?

5. What does Yashida order Jiro to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Okada tell Tozo after Jiro leaves Okada?

2. What does Jiro beg Kinshi to do and what is Kinshi's reply?

3. What is the story that the puppeteer tells Jiro?

4. What happens when the boys are sewing and practicing later that night and how does Yoshida react?

5. How does Joman avoid being executed?

6. What does Okada tell Jiro and how does Jiro react?

7. What is pinned on the door of the theater and how does Yoshida respond?

8. What does Jiro find when he goes into the storeroom and what happens as he trying to decide what to do?

9. Describe the latest theft Saburo pulls off.

10. What does the assistant magistrate first tell Yoshida and what does the assistant magistrate later say?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Jiro and Kinshi. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Saburo and Kinshi. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in The Master Puppeteer help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,218 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample