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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The enemy of true speech in "The Origins of Sacred Speech" is said to have been the _____ of the author.
(a) Son.
(b) Wife.
(c) Best friend.
(d) Rival.

2. _____ are seers as well as poets.
(a) Priests.
(b) Demi-gods.
(c) Sages.
(d) Painters.

3. Saryanavat is the name of the _____ where Soma plants are found.
(a) Plain.
(b) Marshes.
(c) River.
(d) Mountains.

4. The Soma stalk mixes with water to form the juice of _____.
(a) Nothingness.
(b) Learning.
(c) Death.
(d) Immortality.

5. The Maruts are referred to as _____ in "The Cows in the Cave".
(a) The elite ones.
(b) The small ones.
(c) The quick ones.
(d) The dark ones.

6. When Agni becomes priest, his _____ are both flame and prayer.
(a) Arms.
(b) Thoughts.
(c) Eyes.
(d) Robes.

7. How many people restrain the horse of Tvastr during sacrifice?
(a) Two.
(b) Four.
(c) Eight.
(d) Ten.

8. How many wheels does the chariot have in "The Boy and the Chariot"?
(a) None.
(b) Two.
(c) Four.
(d) Three.

9. The Vasus are a group of gods associated with _____.
(a) The crops.
(b) The moon.
(c) The sun.
(d) The horses.

10. The Rbhus are the _____ of the gods.
(a) Horsemen.
(b) Translators.
(c) Housekeepers.
(d) Craftsmen.

11. In "We Have Drunk the Soma", Dawn harnesses _____ to her chariot to bring treasure to the singer of the hymn.
(a) Seven eagles.
(b) Docile cows.
(c) Indra.
(d) The sun.

12. What is the male element of the newborn sun or fire?
(a) Bones.
(b) The flames.
(c) Heat.
(d) Eyes.

13. Who is "Destruction" in the "Burial Hymn"?
(a) The male personification of evil.
(b) Indra's sister.
(c) The female personification of disorder.
(d) Karma.

14. The mane of a horse is a metaphor for what?
(a) The love of Indra.
(b) The rain.
(c) The rays of the sun.
(d) The crops in the fields.

15. What word is often identified with the soul?
(a) Fire.
(b) Sound.
(c) Water.
(d) Breath.

Short Answer Questions

1. _____ is the cry that is made when an offering is presented to the gods.

2. Who carries Indra to heaven to bring Soma to men and gods?

3. The author calls the unknown god the _____.

4. "The Origins of Sacred Speech" hymn speaks of the recreation of the origins of sacred speech through _____of the Vedic sacrifice.

5. Vivavsan is a name for the _____.

(see the answer keys)

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