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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What did a man deliver to Shonagon that was from the Empress in "One Day, When Her Majesty Was Surrounded by Several Ladies?"
(a) A robe.
(b) Flowers.
(c) Perfume.
(d) A straw mat.

2. What is the meaning of the name of the plant that Shonagon asked the children the name of in "On the Sixth of the Month?"
(a) Eyeless plant.
(b) High head plant.
(c) Neckless plant.
(d) Earless plant.

3. Which of these did Shonagon say loses by being painted?
(a) Cranes.
(b) Pines.
(c) Cherry blossoms.
(d) Mountain villages.

4. What temple did the Chancellor order the Dedication of the Full Canon to take place in?
(a) Haze Temple.
(b) UrinTemple.
(c) Chisoku Temple.
(d) Shakuzen Temple.

5. What was stuck into the pile of snow that Emperor Murakami ordered?
(a) Seaweed.
(b) A branch of plum blossom.
(c) Bamboo.
(d) Paper flowers.

6. What sounded different in the Time Office in "While We Were in Mourning for the Chancellor?"
(a) Laughter.
(b) The gong.
(c) Men's voices.
(d) Singing.

7. Who did Shonagon say it was pleasant for a court lady on leave to visit?
(a) Her childhood friends.
(b) Another court lady on leave.
(c) Her parents.
(d) A priest.

8. How many attendants helped the Shigei Sha with her ablutions?
(a) Six.
(b) Four.
(c) Eight.
(d) Two.

9. What kind of woman did Shonagon say she couldn't understand anyone loving?
(a) Stupid.
(b) Ugly.
(c) Shy.
(d) Selfish.

10. Which of these did Shonagon say was distant but near?
(a) Relations between a man and a woman.
(b) Festivals celebrated near the palace.
(c) The course of a boat.
(d) Paradise.

11. Who came to check on the Empress due to the heavy snow even though it was an abstinence day?
(a) Takaie.
(b) Masahiro.
(c) Tadanobu.
(d) Korechika.

12. What did the guests pour wine into at the rehearsal for the Special Festivals?
(a) A tea cup.
(b) A small wooden bowl.
(c) A basket.
(d) A Yaku shell.

13. Which of these did Shonagon say gave an clean feeling?
(a) A soft breeze.
(b) Little sparrows.
(c) The containers used for oil.
(d) A rush mat.

14. Who remarked to all the ladies gathered in the corridor to watch that it "must make [them] laugh to see the foolish old man?"
(a) The Emperor.
(b) The Chancellor.
(c) Tadanobu.
(d) The Empress.

15. What were the musicians singing at the rehearsal of the Special Festivals?
(a) Hymns.
(b) Temple Path.
(c) The Song of the Phoenix.
(d) Udo Beach.

Short Answer Questions

1. What time of day did the Shigei Sha arrive at the Palace to see the Empress?

2. In "One Evening during the Reign of Emperor Murakami" what was causing smoke to come from the brazier?

3. What did Shonagon say a woman's house should look like when she lived alone?

4. A promotion to what rank changed a man who was previously a Subordinate Official so much that he seemed to have been reborn?

5. What kind of paper was Yukinari's letter to Shonagon written on in "One Evening Yukinari, the Controller First Secretary?"

(see the answer keys)

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