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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What insect did Shonagon say she should have included in her list of hateful things?
(a) Beetle.
(b) Mosquito.
(c) Moth.
(d) Fly.

2. In "A Lover's Visit," what did Shonagon find irritating about servants who arrived with the lover?
(a) They were too quiet.
(b) They complained about waiting.
(c) They were poorly dressed.
(d) They left.

3. What time of the day did Shonagan say was the most beautiful in the spring?
(a) Afternoon.
(b) Dawn.
(c) Evening.
(d) Late night.

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

5. What kind of bird was said to make its nest in the paulownia tree?
(a) Hawk.
(b) Phoenix.
(c) Eagle.
(d) Egret.

6. What was the weather like in the Seventh Month?
(a) Mild and warm.
(b) Cool and breezy.
(c) Stiflingly hot.
(d) Bitter cold.

7. Who came out of the house to inquire whether or not "Lord So-and-so's" attendants had arrived yet in the section titled "Once When I Was Passing?"
(a) A cook.
(b) A pretty kitchen-maid.
(c) A young boy.
(d) The Empress.

8. What did stout men strike Shonagon as being?
(a) Lazy.
(b) Sloppy-looking.
(c) Sleepy-looking.
(d) Dumb-looking.

9. Who did the Empress refer to as "heavenly maidens floating in the air?"
(a) Young women at a wedding.
(b) Her daughters.
(c) Her attendants.
(d) Little girls at a festival.

10. What did Shonagon see someone spreading on the ground while traveling in her carriage one day?
(a) Seeds.
(b) Clothing.
(c) Flowers.
(d) Straw mats.

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

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

13. Who brought a Chamberlain who belonged to the Imperial Guard a cup of wine when he brought a message to an Imperial consort?
(a) The master of the house.
(b) The princess.
(c) The mother of the Imperial consort.
(d) A kitchen maid.

14. Which of the people associated with ox carts were to be dressed well?
(a) Drivers.
(b) Attendants.
(c) Stable hands.
(d) Paiges.

15. Who was the nurse in charge of the palace cat?
(a) Okinamaro.
(b) Lady Myobu.
(c) Lady Uma.
(d) Shonagon.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the section titled "Once When Her Majesty Was Residing" what did the ladies-in-waiting build in the garden?

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

3. What color were the horses that members of the nobility came to see on the first day of the First Month?

4. What did Shonagon say a well-bred young man should never do when visiting a woman of lower rank?

5. Which worm was said to have been begotten by a demon?

(see the answer keys)

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