WORKSHEET FOR CHAPTER 1
  1. What is the first paragraph about ?

    2.  

     

  2. Who are Kawaguchi and Asano and what is their relationship ?

    3.  

     

  3. How does Kate qualify a journalist’s relation to the police, and why ?

    4.  

     

  4. What’s Kate’s opinion of Jonty as a policeman

    5.  

     

  5. What do you learn about karate and its masters on pages 10 - 11 ?

    6.  

     

  6. What do you learn about the murder in this chapter ?

    7.  

     

  7. Who is Brendan and what happened to him ?

    8.  

     

  8. On what grounds had he been arrested ?

    9.  

     

  9. What is the purpose of this first chapter ?

    10.  

     

  10. What is the atmosphere ?

    11.  

     

  11. What do you learn about the narrator ? Why is she assigned to cover the murder ?

    12.  

     

  12. Why is Brendan’s letter inserted ? What connection can it have to the story ?

    13.  

     

  13. Comment on "Facts, not fantasy".

    14.  

     
     


    WORKSHEET FOR CHAPTER 2

  14. How does Kate feel when she gets back home ?

    15.  

     

  15. What does Kate mean when she says ‘Not much for a whole life time’ ?

    16.  

     

  16. Why is Brendan looking forward to his trial so much ?

    17.  

     
     


    WORKSHEET FOR CHAPTER 3

  17. Look at the chapter heading – why has the last part of the saying been left out ?

    18.  

     

  18. Why is Kate visiting Jun Kawaguchi ?

    19.  

     

  19. From both Jun’s and Kate’s reflections, what image can we construct of Kawaguchi as a person ?

    20.  

     

  20. Who is Asano-sensei ? What do you know about him ?

    21.  

     

  21. Martial arts training tends to make people less aggressive. Do you think this is true ? What is contradictory about budo ?

    22.  

     

  22. What do you learn about Kate ? Are there any common points between her and Jun ?

    23.  

     

  23. What do you learn about Kate’s father ?

    24.  

     

  24. How did he educate his two children ?

    25.  

     

  25. Why were Kate’s teachers ‘shocked’ about her birthday present (p.21)

    26.  

     

  26. What can you make of the information Kate’s father gives her on p.22 ?

    27.  

     

  27. What has happened since Brendan’s trial began ?

    28.  

     
     


    WORKSHEET FOR CHAPTER 4

  28. Think about the words ‘public anger’ and their possible influence…

    29.  

     

  29. The London Road murder – check the facts by choosing the correct sentence.
    30. 1.
    a)
    		 Blakeston was a caretaker in a home.
    b)
    		 Blakeston was employed in a private school.
    2.
    a)
    		 Blakeston drove a student home.
    b)
    		 Blakeston abducted a schoolgirl.
    3.
    a)
    		 During the drive, his car broke down.
    b)
    		 During the drive, he picked up a hitchhiker.
    4.
    a)
    		 The man drove Blakeston’s car until night.
    b)
    		 The man threatened Blakeston with a gun.
    5.
    a)
    		 Blakeston was shot because he escaped.
    b)
    		 Blakeston was shot in the car.
    6.
    a)
    		 The schoolgirl tried to run away.
    b)
    		 The schoolgirl trusted the gunman.
    7.
    a)
    		 Kawaguchi’s daughter knew the schoolgirl.
    b)
    		 The schoolgirl was Kawaguchi’s daughter.
    8.
    a)
    		 Naoko identified Murphy without hesitation.
    b)
    		 Naoko’s choice of Murphy seemed to contradict her first description of the murderer
    9.
    a)
    		 Murphy was known as a criminal.
    b)
    		 Murphy was known as a violent criminal.
    10.
    a)
    		 Murphy was a friend of Blakeston.
    b)
    		 Murphy had never seen Blakeston or Naoko.
  30. Be able to tell someone the story of the London Road murder.

    31.  

     

  31. Why does Tony Jensen have a lot of information about the London Road murder?

    32.  

     

  32. What happened to Brendan ?

    33.  

     

  33. Why was (is) Kate’s father convinced of Brendan’s innocence ?

    34.  

     

  34. What happened after February 1961 ?

    35.  

     

  35. Why is Brendan ‘disappointed’ ? What’s the problem with his alibi ?

    36.  
     

    WORKSHEET FOR CHAPTER 5

  36. Think about ‘things that happened a long time ago can have a pretty powerful influence on the present.’ (p 31)

    37.  

     

  37. There are two new facts about the London Road case : what are they ?

    38.  

     

  38. What are Paddy Murphy’s feelings about Kawaguchi ?

    39.  

     

  39. What do we learn about the Murphys as a family (background, social status, relationships) ?

    40.  

     

  40. "Everybody trusted the court. It makes you laugh, doesn’t it ?" Explain Paddy’s comment.

    41.  

     

  41. Can you reconcile the burglar and car thief with the person who writes to his family and signs "your loving son" ?

    42.  

     

  42. Why does Kate check the names of all the London black belts ?

    43.  

     

  43. Homework : Find useful key-words in order to speak about a murder case.

    44.  
     

    WORKSHEET FOR CHAPTER 6

  44. Why does Kate insist on going to Japan ?

    45.  

     

  45. Why do you think Kawaguchi destroyed all of "The Avenger’s"letters ?

    46.  

     

  46. MCQ. Choose the correct sentence.
    47.    
    a)
    		 knows all the facts about the Murphy case.
    1.
    		 Kate
    b)
    		 convinces her boss that she has good journalistic flair.
       
    c)
    		 is convinced Naoko Kawaguchi threatened her father.
       
    a)
    		 had the same funeral.
    2.
    		 Kawaguchi and Ito
    b)
    		 both have English, Christian wives.
       
    c)
    		 were probably both killed by "The Avenger".
       
    a)
    		 went to Kawaguchi’s funeral.
    3.
    		 Mrs Ito
    b)
    		 was happy to see Kate and talk about the murders.
       
    c)
    		 was reluctant to speak to Kate on the phone.
       
    a)
    		 received threatening letters for a long period of time.
    4.
    		 Kawaguchi
    b)
    		 received the same letter at regular intervals.
       
    c)
    		 received a few threatening letters before his death.
       
    a)
    		 had a specific request about Brendan Murphy.
    5.
    		 "The Avenger"
    b)
    		 warned Kawaguchi not to inform the police about the letters.
       
    c)
    		 threatened to turn Kawaguchi to the police.
       
    a)
    		 was seriously worried about the threatening letters.
    6.
    		 Kawaguchi
    b)
    		 thought the letters were written by Brendan’s family.
       
    c)
    		 believed the letters were written by an unbalanced person.
       
    a)
    		 has managed to prove his innocence but is condemned.
    7.
    		 Brendan(p.35)
    b)
    		 thinks he is being punished because he is a burglar and a car thief.
       
    c)
    		 hasn’t managed to prove his innocence and feels hopeless.
       
    a)
    		 to appeal against the verdict.
    8.
    		 Brendan asks Johnny
    b)
    		 to take care of his parents.
       
    c)
    		 to cheer him up.

     

    WORKSHEET FOR CHAPTER 7

  47. MCQ. Choose the correct sentence.
    48. 1.
    		 The events in this chapter occur
    a)
    		 on the evening of Kawaguchi’s funeral.
       
    b)
    		 the day after Kawaguchi’s funeral.
    2.
    		 Kate is attacked
    a)
    		 as she is entering her apartment.
       
    b)
    		 outside her apartment.
    3.
    		 As a result of the attack, Kate is
    a)
    		 paralysed.
       
    b)
    		 unconscious.
    4.
    		 Kate alerts Tim by
    a)
    		 using a brush as a crutch and knocking on his door.
       
    b)
    		 getting a brush and knocking on the ceiling of her flat.
    5.
    		 Kate’s attacker is
    a)
    		 a lightweight karateka.
       
    b)
    		 an untrained, lucky intruder.
    6.
    		 Kate thinks the attack on her was meant to 
    a)
    		 kill her.
       
    b)
    		 frighten her.
    7.
    		 The attacker
    a)
    		 is probably connected to the sensei’s murder.
       
    b)
    		 want Kate to discover his/her name.
    8.
    		 (p.39) Janey
    a)
    		 has written a letter to Brendan but won’t visit him.
       
    b)
    		 often writes and sometimes visits Brendan.
    9.
    		 Brendan’s letter is
    a)
    		 a marriage proposal.
       
    b)
    		 a promise of a shared future.
  48. Who could have an interest is keeping Kate off the murder case(s) ?

    49.  

     

  49. What is Brendan’s last chance of avoiding being hanged ?

    50.  

     

  50. Compare Brendan’s first letter to Janey (p. 23) with the one on p. 37. What has changed ? Try to define their relationship. The second letter also reveals elements about Brendan’s outlook on his own past life.

    51.  

     
     


    WORKSHEET FOR CHAPTER 8

  51. Why do you think Jun Kawaguchi was reluctant about Kate's visit to Naoko ?

    52.  

     

  52. For what reason(s) does Kate think Naoko wouldn't talk to her ?

    53.  

     

  53. Why is Kate surprised at Naoko's reaction to her opening speech (p.43) ?

    54.  

     

  54. What do you learn about Japan and Japanese culture from Kate's remarks ? List your findings in the box below (to be continued in chapters 9 and 10)

    55.  
     

     

     
     
     

    WORKSHEET FOR CHAPTER 9

  55. Could this chapter be called "Naoko's confession" ?

    56.  

     

  56. Why do you think Naoko finally decides to confide in Kate  ?

    57.  

     

  57. What was Naoko's life in England like  ? Imagine what would have happened if she had stayed in England.

    58.  

     

  58. Explain Kawaguchi's attitude. What was his priority  ?

    59.  

     

  59. p.49 – Brendan's letter :
  1. What "somebody" could come and save Brendan  ?
  2. What is the tone of that letter ?
  3. Why is it placed in the middle of the chapter  ?
  1. "Sometimes I hated my job." (Kate, p.48). Do you think Kate is carrying out this inquiry because it's her job ?

    2.  

     

  2. Kate compares her education and background to Naoko's. Make a chart :
    3. Kate

     

    		 Naoko

    Where both of them brought up as girls should  ?
     
     


    WORKSHEET FOR CHAPTER 10

  3. True or false  ?
    Kate feels uncomfortable in Tokyo now that she has seen Naoko.
    Kate had previously visited Tokyo with her karate club.
    Kenji was a member of her karate club.
    Karate training sessions are open to the public.
    Kate feels nostalgic while watching the students.
    Kate thinks the ghost of Kawaguchi will haunt his club in London.
    Karate teaches you to take advantage of your adversary's power.
    Karate is based on offensive movements.
  1. Why do you think Kate tells her story to Kenji ?

    2.  

     

  2. Interpret Ando-sensei's advice to Kate (p.55).

    3.  

     
     


    WORKSHEET FOR CHAPTER 11

  3. Why does Kate want to find Benson ?

    4.  

     

  4. What is Kate's method of investigation, and why did she choose it ?

    5.  

     

  5. (p.60) Brendan's fate seems sealed. What is his last hope ?

    6.  

     

  6. Comment on the present stage of Kate's search for the truth and Brendan's letter.

    7.  

     
     


    WORKSHEET FOR CHAPTER 12

    This is a very important chapter, make sure you understand it well !

  7. True or False ?
    James Benson seems to be a rather poor man without any education.
    His brother, Peter, is dead.
    James Benson thinks it is possible that his brother killed Blakeston.
    Kawaguchi might have had a contact with him.
    Kawaguchi did not want his daughter to see Blakeston.
    Naoko was pregnant.
    Kawaguchi tried to speak with his daughter and Blakeston, but without success.
    Peter Benson imagined he should behave as a moral avenger.
    The word psychopath does apply to Peter Benson.
    Peter Benson felt very concerned about the suffering of people.
    Peter Benson always did what he wanted.
    Peter Benson seems to be a very likeable person.
    Peter Benson felt very confident with guns.
    Peter Benson is most certainly Blakeston's murderer.
    James Benson tried to tell the police that his brother was guilty.
    The police either did not believe or want to believe what the Benson brothers told them.
    Kate and James Benson know why Brendan was accused of the murder.

 
  1. What do you learn about a psychopath mentality ?

    2.  
     

    WORKSHEET FOR CHAPTER 13

    This is also a very important chapter, make sure you understand it well !

  2. True or False ?
    Kate wonders if The Avenger is avenging Blakeston's death, the shooting of Naoko or the hanging of Murphy.
    Kate is pleased to see that she can answer many questions.
    There has been an explosion at the Home Secretary's office.
    The Avenger claims responsibility for the letter bomb.
    The Home secretary said that Murphy was innocent.
    After Murphy's hanging there have been several attempts to clear Brendan's name
    The Avenger has killed everyone who tried to clear Brendan's name.
    Kate's father belongs to the group of people who believed and still believe that Brendan was innocent.
    To re-open a case there should be some new evidence.

 
  1. Does the word "Avenger" refer to the same person in chapter 12 and 13 ? Explain your answer.

    2.  

     
     




    WORKSHEET FOR CHAPTER 14


  2. Kate seems to be progressing better than the police in her enquiry. Why ? Think again of the relationship between the press and the police.

    3.  

     

  3. Why is Kate certain that the "Avenger" is a woman  ? And who does she think the woman is ?

    4.  

     

  4. P.73 "I had an idea". What is Kate's idea ?

    5.  

     
     




    WORKSHEET FOR CHAPTER 15

  5. The trap. Choose the right answer, a) or b)
    6. 1.
    		 The events in this chapter happen
    a)
    		 on the evening 
       
    b)
    		 the evening after 

    the publication of Tony Jensen's article in the Daily Echo.
    2.
    		 Kate has enlisted help from
    a)
    		 Sanjay.
       
    b)
    		 Sanjay and another karateka.
    3.
    		 They are at
    a)
    		 Sanjay's house.
       
    b)
    		 Tony Jensen's house.
    4.
    		 Kate thinks "The Avenger will try to attack
    a)
    		 her.
       
    b)
    		 her father.

    5.
    		 Tony Jensen is used as
    a)
    		 bait.
       
    b)
    		 an extra fighter in case things go wrong.
    6.
    		 The attack occurs
    a)
    		 at midnight.
       
    b)
    		 early in the evening.
    7.
    		 The attacker first reaches
    a)
    		 Sanjay.
       
    b)
    		 Kate.
    8.
    		 The attacker
    a)
    		 manages to defeat Sanjay and Kate.
       
    b)
    		 prevents Kate and Sanjay from defeating him/her.

     
     
     
    9.
    		 The attacker is finally rendered helpless thanks to
    a)
    		 Kate.
       
    b)
    		 Tony Jensen.
    10.
    		 As soon as the attacker comes to, Kate
    a)
    		 phones the police.
       
    b)
    		 speaks to her.
  6. Why is Tony Jensen writing an article on the London Road murder again ? Why does Kate call it "a pack of lies" (p.74) ?

    7.  

     

  7. Why do you think Kate got so involved in the Murphy case ?

    8.  

     

  8. Brendan's last letter  : what do you think Brendan "really want(ed) to say" to Janey ?

    9.  

     

  9. What elements in Brendan's letters to her mother would be important to Brenda ?

    10.  

     
     

    WORKSHEET FOR CHAPTER 16

  10. What is Brenda Lovat talking about in Tony Jensen's living room ?

    11.  

     

  11. What are Kate and her father's feelings while they are listening to Brenda ? Are they horrified by her deeds ?

    12.  

     

  12. What does she tell them about Kawaguchi ? Do you agree with the similarity between Kawaguchi and the government ?

    13.  

     

  13. When did Brenda decide to kill Kawaguchi ? Why did she also kill Ito ?

    14.  

     
     




    WORKSHEET FOR CHAPTER 17

  14. How does Balzano react to Kate's article ?

    15.  

     

  15. Which new pieces of information do you get in this article ?
a.

b.

c.

d.

e.