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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What tree's blossoms did Shonagon consider prosaic and vulgar, but later changed her mind about?
(a) Peach tree.
(b) Cherry tree.
(c) Orange tree.
(d) Pear tree.

2. During what festival did people decorate with irises?
(a) The Festival of the First Month.
(b) The Festival of the Third Month.
(c) The Festival of the Fifth Month.
(d) The Festival of the Eighth Month.

3. Where did the Empress' residence lie in relationship to Seiryo Palace?
(a) West.
(b) South.
(c) North.
(d) East.

4. In the section titled "It Was During One of Her Majesty's Periods of Residence," what did the women go outside to see in the early morning?
(a) Geese passing overhead.
(b) An approaching storm.
(c) A parade.
(d) The moon.

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

6. In the section called "Hateful Things," what hateful thing happened when an admirer came for a clandestine visit?
(a) A dog barked.
(b) The door was locked.
(c) The admirer got lost.
(d) A maid caught the visitor.

7. What was hung from the pillars of the Empress' palace during the Festival of the Fifth Month?
(a) Pear blossoms.
(b) Chrysanthemums.
(c) Cherry blossoms.
(d) Herbal balls.

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

9. What bird did Shonagon say she liked even though it did not belong to her country?
(a) Lark.
(b) Cuckoo.
(c) Mockingbird.
(d) Parrot.

10. Which worm was said to have been begotten by a demon?
(a) Basket worm.
(b) Inch worm.
(c) Silk worm.
(d) Earth worm.

11. What kind of carriage was supposed to move slowly according to Shonagon?
(a) Horse drawn.
(b) Palm-leaf.
(c) Wooden.
(d) Wickerwork.

12. Who asked Narimasa to arrange a meeting with Shonagon about the small gate?
(a) The Emperor.
(b) The Empress.
(c) Narimasa's brother.
(d) The palace architect.

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

14. What did Shonagon enjoy seeing men carry to and fro as the Festival approached?
(a) Rolls of material.
(b) Decorations for the palace.
(c) Loaves of bread.
(d) Flowers for the ladies.

15. What was the Palace of the First Ward known as?
(a) The Palace of the Future.
(b) The Palace of Yesterday.
(c) The Palace of Today.
(d) The Palace of Tomorrow.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Lord Akinobu say he had picked with his own hands?

2. What did the pictures hung for the Perpetual Readings depict?

3. What did Shonagon see someone spreading on the ground while traveling in her carriage one day?

4. What was painted on the paper-door of Lord Akinobu's house?

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

(see the answer keys)

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