Characterization Heart of a Samurai REview Quiz

The strangers leaped out of their boats and pulled them up on the small beach. By signs, they made it clear the castaways should climb aboard.

The fishermen exchanged frightened glances and whispered to one another, “What about Denzo and Jusuke?”

Gesturing, Manjiro communicated to the strangers about the two men in the cave. Denzo and Jusuke were retrieved, both of them so weak they had to be carried to the boats. Everyone found a place and the sailors shoved off. The two boats rowed away from the island toward an unknown future.

Which detail helps readers infer that the strangers and the fishermen speak different languages?

• The fishermen communicate with each other by whispering.

• Men from both groups communicate with hand signs.

• The fishermen are unable to follow the strangers’ directions.

• The two groups of men leave the island in different boats.

Each of them was also given a metal stick, with four prongs on one end.

“Fork,” the sailor said – and showed them they should use it to eat the rice.

The fishermen recited their prayer before eating. “Itadakimasu – I will humbly receive.”

Then Goemon said, “It might be poison.”

What can readers infer based on details in the excerpt?

• Goemon likes new experiences.

• Goemon is not afraid of his rescuers.

• Goemon does not trust his rescuers.

• Goemon has used a fork before.

[Manjiro] was brought back to the present moment when a bowl of steaming rice was set before him. A real bowl. Of real rice. It had not been a dream. The wonderful, unexpected smell of rice cooking had fanned the embers of memory.

Based on details in the excerpt, what can readers infer?

• Manjiro is comforted by the bowl of rice.

• Manjiro is not used to eating rice from a bowl.

• Manjiro is smelling rice for the first time.

• Manjiro is not going to eat the steaming rice.

Manjiro wondered why the foreigners didn’t just carry their small things in separate pouches, the way it was done in Japan. But once his hands discovered his pockets, he couldn’t keep them out. His hands wanted to explore those spaces just like, when he’d lost teeth as a boy, his tongue wanted to explore the empty holes where his teeth had been.

Which words best show Manjiro’s curiosity?

• “lost” and “the empty holes”

• “wondered” and “wanted to explore”

• “foreigners” and “separate pouches”

• “carry” and “the way it was done”

Which description from Heart of a Samurai best gives readers a sense of Manjiro's feelings?

• "Buttons," Manjiro repeated to himself. He had never seen buttons before. None of them had. They were accustomed to tying their clothes together with belts, sashes, or ties.

• Twelve shoes, Manjiro counted, as he sat on the bottom of the boat. Stiff-looking things, brown as the skin of hairless dogs. Shiny and smooth, as if made of animal hide.

• [Manjiro's] hands wanted to explore those spaces just like, when he’d lost teeth as a boy, his tongue wanted to explore the empty holes where his teeth had been.

• "Captain Whitfield," a soldier called him, and Manjiro tucked away those words before he and the others were whisked off again.

“Maybe they won’t humiliate us,” Manjiro said hopefully.

At this, Goemon simply grunted.

Based on the word “grunted,” which word best describes Goemon?

• relieved

• curious

• hopeful

• gloomy

Manjiro tried to put his heart in order. He said a sutra – a prayer – for his ancestors, his family, his friends, and for himself. Then he waited for his heart to go back where it belonged instead of jumping all over inside his chest.

Based on this description, which word best describes Manjiro?

• determined

• disorganized

• bored

• uncaring

No matter how odd-looking or dangerous they were, Manjiro had to choke down his fear and ask them to help his friends.

"My friends are still on the island,” Manjiro said.

Which best states how Manjiro’s behavior is heroic?

• He asks for help for his friends.

• He overcomes his fear in order to help others.

• He escapes from the island.

• He talks to men who might be dangerous.

Manjiro tried to put his heart in order. He said a sutra – a prayer – for his ancestors, his family, his friends, and for himself. Then he waited for his heart to go back where it belonged instead of jumping all over inside his chest.

How does Manjiro overcome his anxiety in the excerpt?

• He looks for someone to talk to.

• He grieves for the family he left behind.

• He thinks about what he is afraid of.

• He gives himself time to feel peaceful inside.

That night, lying in his bunk, Manjiro couldn’t help trying the new words. “Buttons,” he whispered. “Pockets. Shoes. Bread.” Bread was hard to say. He tried again and again. “Captain,” he said. “Whitfield.”

“What are you doing?” Goemon said.

“Maybe if I learn some words, I can ask questions.”

Goemon groaned. “More questions!”

“If we don’t learn their language, how will we know what they intend to do to us?”

Which heroic quality does Manjiro show in the excerpt?

• He rejects the barbarian way of life.

• He insists on doing things his way.

• He is willing to learn new things.

• He resists being changed by outside forces.