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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who did Shonagon say would not covet being a member of the Fifth Rank?
(a) Priests.
(b) Page boys.
(c) Chamberlains of the Sixth Rank.
(d) Chamberlains of the Fourth Rank.

2. When did Shonagon say people walking about laughing loudly are enviable?
(a) Late at night.
(b) When one is sad.
(c) When one is ill.
(d) During times of abstinence.

3. What was in the parcel that Yukinari sent Shonagon in "One Day a Man from the Office of Grounds?"
(a) A robe.
(b) Flowers.
(c) Colored paper.
(d) Square cakes.

4. In "Enviable Things" what hour was it when Shonagon was still only half way to the top of the hill to get to the Upper Shrine?
(a) The Hour of the Rat.
(b) The Hour of the Horse.
(c) The Hour of the Snake.
(d) The Hour of the Dog.

5. What terminology did Shonagon and Tadanobu use to discuss men and women when they didn't want anyone else to know what they were talking about?
(a) The terminology of backgammon.
(b) Poetic terminology.
(c) The terminology of go.
(d) The terminology of the Chinese zodiac.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who remarked to all the ladies gathered in the corridor to watch that it "must make [them] laugh to see the foolish old man?"

2. Who impressed Shonagon with his obeisance to the Chancellor?

3. For what occasion did the Empress have to leave the Palace while they were in mourning for the Chancellor?

4. In "Wind Instruments" what instrument did Shonagon say was charming for a man to carry when he went out on horseback or on foot?

5. What color were the Shigei Sha's under-robes when Shonagon first saw her at Toka Palace?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did the Empress keep the note Yukinari sent with the square cakes?

2. Why was Shonagon impressed when the Empress guessed that the cherry blossoms had been ruined by the rain?

3. Why did the Empress laugh when Tozammi brought her the letters about the people at the capital no longer wearing their mourning clothes?

4. When the ladies visited the guard house in "While We Were in Mourning for the Chancellor" why did the guards get angry with them?

5. Why did Shonagon say that a woman who leaves home because she is angry with her husband has lost power?

6. Why did the priest tell the women to keep talking all night after overhearing their conversation about where the wood for the Chamberlains' batons come from and talking about the names of clothing?

7. What did Shonagon hope to find out by seeing the Shigei Sha and what conclusion did she come to?

8. Why was Shonagon concerned about having to write the opening lines to a few lines of poetry she received when Kinto was present?

9. Why was Nobukata upset by Shonagon's response to his inquiry about how she felt about the poem "had not yet reached the term of thirty?"

10. Why was Shonagon so impressed with Michinaga's obeisance to the Chancellor?

(see the answer keys)

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