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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What was the spirit of the Captain from the Inner Palace Guards said to be haunting?
(a) The Palace.
(b) A path leading to the garden.
(c) A temple.
(d) A bridge.

2. Who wanted Shonagon to teach her the terminology that Shonagon and Tadanobu used to talk in secret?
(a) Tozammi.
(b) Nobukata.
(c) Korechika.
(d) Norimitsu.

3. 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.

4. For what occasion did the Empress have to leave the Palace while they were in mourning for the Chancellor?
(a) The Iris Festival.
(b) Her brother's wedding.
(c) The Great Purification.
(d) The Dedication of the Texts.

5. Who impressed Shonagon with his obeisance to the Chancellor?
(a) Michinaga.
(b) The Emperor.
(c) Tadanobu.
(d) Takaie.

6. What kind of pond did Shonagon like best?
(a) A pond with a bridge and flowers.
(b) One with fish.
(c) A nicely kept pond.
(d) One that was wild and covered with weeds.

7. When did Shonagon say people walking about laughing loudly are enviable?
(a) Late at night.
(b) When one is ill.
(c) During times of abstinence.
(d) When one is sad.

8. To whom did the Emperor pay his respects when he returned from his visit to Yawata?
(a) The Empress Dowager.
(b) The Empress.
(c) The Shigei Sha.
(d) Shonagon.

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

10. What kind of wood was the round brazier the Empress sat before when Shonagon came to visit in her early days as a lady-in-waiting?
(a) Cherry.
(b) Shen.
(c) Cedar.
(d) Oak.

11. Who said he/she would order the dancers to perform for the ladies-in-waiting after the Special Festival at Iwashimizu?
(a) The Emperor.
(b) The Empress.
(c) Yukinari.
(d) The Chancellor.

12. What caused the lamp to tip when Masahiro was responsible for filling the lamps with oil?
(a) He bumped it with the oil jar.
(b) He kicked it.
(c) A cat knocked it over.
(d) His foot stuck to the cloth.

13. In "One Evening during the Reign of Emperor Murakami" what was causing smoke to come from the brazier?
(a) A cedar branch.
(b) A frog.
(c) A rat.
(d) A burning notebook.

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

15. What time of day did the Shigei Sha arrive at the Palace to see the Empress?
(a) Midday.
(b) Early in the morning.
(c) Late at night.
(d) Early evening.

Short Answer Questions

1. What would make a player in a game of hidden rhymes look pleased with himself?

2. What did Tadanobu say one was always sorry for in "It Was Late at Night?"

3. In "Wind Instruments" what instrument did Shonagon say was charming for a man to carry when he went out on horseback or on foot?

4. Who came to check on the Empress due to the heavy snow even though it was an abstinence day?

5. Which of these was included in the list of things that had lost their power?

(see the answer keys)

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