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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What did Shonagon think small children and babies should look like?
(a) Puppies.
(b) Plump.
(c) Willow trees.
(d) Tall.

2. What shade of plum blossom brought Shonagon the most pleasure?
(a) White.
(b) Blue.
(c) Red.
(d) Yellow.

3. What was painted on the paper-door of Lord Akinobu's house?
(a) Horses.
(b) The Palace.
(c) Birds.
(d) Hell.

4. What did Lord Akinobu say he had picked with his own hands?
(a) Fern sprouts.
(b) Rice.
(c) Cherries.
(d) Seaweed.

5. In what month did the peach trees come into bloom?
(a) The Third Month.
(b) The Second Month.
(c) The Sixth Month.
(d) The Fourth Month.

6. What dried plant evoked a memory from the past in the section titled "Things That Arouse a Fond Memory From the Past?"
(a) Hollyhock.
(b) Rose.
(c) Violet.
(d) Cherry blossom.

7. What title was Norimitsu awarded after his falling out with Shonagon?
(a) Middle Counsellor.
(b) Assistant Governor of Totomi.
(c) Lieutenant of the Guards.
(d) Governor of Suruga.

8. What tree did Shonagon say had a vulgar name?
(a) Cypress.
(b) Pear tree.
(c) Oak.
(d) Chinese hawthorn.

9. According to Shonagon, what can't be compared to rain?
(a) Wind.
(b) Snow.
(c) Mist.
(d) Sun.

10. What was wrong with the appearance of the escorts that Shonagon saw while visiting the palace to see the horses on the first day of the First Month?
(a) Their feet were too large.
(b) They were too tall.
(c) Their faces were improperly powdered.
(d) Their hair was unkempt.

11. What color did Shonagon say oxen's bellies should be?
(a) Grey.
(b) Black.
(c) Brown.
(d) White.

12. What did His Majesty ask Shonagon and the others to write down on a folded piece of paper following dinner?
(a) A passage from a book of philosophy.
(b) The first ancient poem that came to mind.
(c) Their lineage.
(d) Their names.

13. What gate at the house of the Senior Steward was too small for the carriage Shonagon and the other ladies rode in?
(a) West.
(b) East.
(c) North.
(d) South.

14. What color robe did Korechika wear when he came to report to His Majesty while the ladies sat discussing the painting on a sliding screen?
(a) Cherry-colored.
(b) Black.
(c) Golden yellow.
(d) Wistaria.

15. What color did Shonagon say a cat's back should be?
(a) White.
(b) Orange.
(c) Black.
(d) Grey.

Short Answer Questions

1. What tree did people regard as the tree of the Divine Presence?

2. What did Yukinari tell Shonagon he was saying to the woman she saw him speaking with near the garden fence?

3. What did Shonagon enjoy seeing men carry to and fro as the Festival approached?

4. In the section titled "One Day When the Emperor Visited Her Majesty's Rooms" what did the Emperor bring with him on his visit?

5. What did Shonagon say an ugly preacher might be?

(see the answer keys)

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