Urashima Taro and the Turtle — Questions and answers

Read the full story

What did Urashima Taro see children doing by the water in the fishing village?

Choices

  1. Poking a small turtle and stopping it from reaching the sea ✓
  2. Playing a game with a large fishing net
  3. Collecting shiny pebbles on the beach
  4. Building sandcastles with colorful shells

Answer: Poking a small turtle and stopping it from reaching the sea

From page 1

Who called Urashima Taro's name from the water the morning after he saved the turtle?

Choices

  1. A fisherman from a nearby boat
  2. A small fish jumping out of the sea
  3. The enormous turtle he had saved ✓
  4. Princess Otohime herself

Answer: The enormous turtle he had saved

From page 2

What happened to Urashima Taro when the turtle dove deep into the ocean?

Choices

  1. He had to hold his breath for a long time
  2. He felt cold and shivered
  3. He found he could breathe as if on land ✓
  4. He saw only darkness around him

Answer: He found he could breathe as if on land

From page 3

What was the great outer gate of the magnificent palace made of when Urashima Taro and the turtle arrived?

Choices

  1. Shining gold with sparkling diamonds
  2. Strong, ancient wood covered in seaweed
  3. Smooth, dark stone with intricate carvings
  4. Red coral decorated with glittering pearls and emeralds ✓

Answer: Red coral decorated with glittering pearls and emeralds

From page 4

Who was the beautiful princess with long, flowing black hair who met Urashima Taro in the grand hall of the palace?

Choices

  1. Princess Otohime ✓
  2. A mermaid guardian
  3. The turtle's daughter
  4. The queen of the sea

Answer: Princess Otohime

From page 5

What special feature did the garden in the Dragon Palace have that delighted Urashima Taro?

Choices

  1. It grew only rare, glowing flowers
  2. It was filled with talking animals
  3. All four seasons existed at once ✓
  4. It had trees that sang beautiful songs

Answer: All four seasons existed at once

From page 6

What made Urashima Taro decide he had to go home after what felt like three happy years in the Dragon Palace?

Choices

  1. A sudden, sharp memory of his mother and father ✓
  2. He grew tired of the feasts and music
  3. Princess Otohime told him it was time to leave
  4. He missed fishing in the sea above

Answer: A sudden, sharp memory of his mother and father

From page 7

What did Princess Otohime give Urashima Taro as a parting gift when he decided to go home?

Choices

  1. A new fishing net woven from silk
  2. A map to hidden treasures
  3. A magical pearl that would grant wishes
  4. A small, beautiful lacquer box called a tamatebako ✓

Answer: A small, beautiful lacquer box called a tamatebako

From page 8

What did an old man tell Urashima Taro about the name Urashima Taro when he returned to his village?

Choices

  1. Urashima Taro had moved to another village many years ago
  2. He knew Urashima Taro's parents very well
  3. He had not heard that name since he was a small boy, three hundred years ago ✓
  4. Urashima Taro was a famous hero who lived nearby

Answer: He had not heard that name since he was a small boy, three hundred years ago

From page 9

What happened to Urashima Taro when he opened the tamatebako?

Choices

  1. He was transported back to the Dragon Palace
  2. His black hair turned to snow, his face grew deep with wrinkles, and his body became that of a very old man ✓
  3. He heard the voices of his parents
  4. A shower of gold coins fell out of the box

Answer: His black hair turned to snow, his face grew deep with wrinkles, and his body became that of a very old man

From page 10