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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 intercepts Mariko, Kiri, and Sazuko as they prepare to leave the palace walls?

2. What is Mariko trying to goad Ishido into admitting?

3. Why does Blackthorne threaten to commit suicide?

4. What does Blackthorne tell Ishido at the party?

5. What do couriers from Osaka bring to Toranaga?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the circumstances that call off the attack against Mariko after the bomb goes off?

2. Why does Toranaga lose his temper when Buntaro requests permission to kill Blackthorne?

3. What is Blackthorne's surprise about the rebuilding of his house after the earthquake and fire?

4. What is the request Blackthorne makes of Toranaga regarding Mariko?

5. How does Toranaga publicly honor Yabu?

6. How has the Japanese influence rubbed off on Blackthorne when he visits his crew?

7. How does Toranaga attempt to make peace between Buntaro and Mariko?

8. What is the unusual request Buntaro makes of Blackthorne.

9. What action on the part of Martin Alvito raises Blackthorne's suspicions?

10. How does Omi further attempt to ingratiate himself with Lord Toranaga?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay of at least two typewritten, double spaced pages on the topic, Why People Go to Sea. Points in your essay should center around various reasons people have historically gone to sea. Use examples from SHÅŒGUN and other literature such as MOBY DICK or THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA to define motives for going to sea. Conclude with your opinion about whether you would consider going to sea as a sailor rather than a passenger.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay of at least two typewritten, double spaced pages on the topic, How Traders Made Their Living. Start with the idea that trading went on long before there were systems for monetary exchanges. Use information from SHÅŒGUN about the European/Chinese/Japanese trade practices worked. Include the more familiar trade between China, India, and Europe in the days of Marco Polo. At what point in that system does actual money come to play?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay of at least two typewritten, double spaced pages on the topic, Feudalism in Shōgun. Your points should include the use of peasants as slave labor, the exorbitant taxes placed on them, and the fear the ruling class has at the idea of peasants having access to guns.

(see the answer keys)

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