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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 Okada ask Jiro to do?

2. How do the boys treat Jiro?

3. Where is the crest Jiro sees?

4. What does Okada admit to Jiro?

5. Where does Jiro decide to practice his part?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Kinshi get out of his chores and what do the other boys do?

2. Describe the latest theft Saburo pulls off.

3. What does Jiro think about concerning arranging a meeting with Saburo?

4. How does Jiro manage to get Kinshi his role back in the play?

5. What does Jiro conclude after seeing the Samurai sword?

6. What part is Kinshi assigned in the new play and what does Jiro learn as they go to get puppets for Kinshi to practice?

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

8. What wakes Jiro in the night and what is the outcome?

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

10. How does Joman avoid being executed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Master Puppeteer belongs to the youth historical fiction genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the youth historical fiction genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a youth historical fiction and a historical novel mystery?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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