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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. Who does Matahachi blame for his current position?

2. Where does Musashi ask Jo to deliver the message?

3. Where do Musashi and Jo stay at an inn?

4. How does Akemi try to kill herself?

5. What city has Matahachi found work in?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the reasons Seijuro cannot fight in this chapter?

2. How does Akemi try to kill herself?

3. What is Matahachi's life like with Oko?

4. How does Takuan scare Takezo away from Otsu?

5. How is Matahachi's mother rude to Takeo's family in this section?

6. What punishment so officials hand out to Takezo at the castle?

7. How has Matahachi's life changed for the worse at the beginning of Book III?

8. Why do Osugi and Gon want to kill Musashi?

9. How does Musashi escape Osugi and Gon?

10. How does Jo's father react when Matahachi takes food from him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss elements of the narrative structure: exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the book's themes?

Essay Topic 2

What is Takuan's role in the books? How would the book change if he were not one of the characters?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the book's reception in three different countries including the country in which the book was written. How do their opinions about the books differ? Was the book more influential in one country than another? If so, why?

(see the answer keys)

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