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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

3. 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 young boy.
(b) A pretty kitchen-maid.
(c) A cook.
(d) The Empress.

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

5. What was Yukinari's title?
(a) Controller First Secretary.
(b) Emperor.
(c) Chamberlain.
(d) Middle Counsellor.

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

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

8. Where did the women plan to go to hear a hototogisu sing during the Abstinence of the Fifth Month?
(a) An old mill.
(b) A bridge.
(c) A cherry orchard.
(d) A field.

9. What color were the horses that members of the nobility came to see on the first day of the First Month?
(a) Chestnut.
(b) Green.
(c) White.
(d) Blue.

10. What was rare in a servant according to the section titled "Rare Things?"
(a) One who was pleasant to his master.
(b) One who was cruel.
(c) One who was intelligent.
(d) One who was well-dressed.

11. While the Empress was staying in the building of the Empress's Office, what was reported to be in the main room?
(a) A demon.
(b) A rat.
(c) A ghost.
(d) A burglar.

12. In the section titled "Once When Her Majesty Was Residing" what did the ladies-in-waiting build in the garden?
(a) A sculpture of a bird.
(b) A small building.
(c) A flower bed.
(d) A snow mountain.

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

14. What did Shonagon say that women at the palace did not do as other women did?
(a) Bow to men.
(b) Walk about with their hair unkempt.
(c) Serve tea.
(d) Hide their faces behind fans and screens.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. In the section titled "Once When I Was Passing," what color were the inside blinds on the palm-leaf carriage Shonagon described?

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

3. What was the weather like in the Seventh Month?

4. What did His Majesty ask Shonagon and the others to write down on a folded piece of paper following dinner?

5. How did Shonagon say the sky should appear on the fifth day of the Fifth Month?

(see the answer keys)

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