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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

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

4. When Shonagon went to a temple for a retreat and was kneeling to pray, what did a priest bring her?
(a) A bough of anise.
(b) A bonsai.
(c) A hollyhock.
(d) A branch of cherry blossoms.

5. What did Shonagon say the child who brought a letter to Tozammi's room looked like?
(a) A basket worm.
(b) A cherub.
(c) A hototogisu.
(d) A stick of bamboo.

6. Which of the following did Shonagon include on her list of presumptuous things?
(a) Foot shuffling.
(b) Sneezing.
(c) Burping.
(d) Coughing.

7. Who did Shonagon say would not covet being a member of the Fifth Rank?
(a) Page boys.
(b) Chamberlains of the Sixth Rank.
(c) Priests.
(d) Chamberlains of the Fourth Rank.

8. What color were the Shigei Sha's under-robes when Shonagon first saw her at Toka Palace?
(a) Shades of blue.
(b) Plum red.
(c) Yellow.
(d) Light violet.

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

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

11. What insect did Shonagon compare the flageolet to?
(a) Dragonfly.
(b) Water beetle.
(c) Cricket.
(d) Cicada.

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

13. Who recited the perfect lines at the gathering following the service dedicated to the late Chancellor?
(a) Yukinari.
(b) Tadanobu.
(c) Shonagon.
(d) The Emperor.

14. 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) Neckless plant.
(b) Earless plant.
(c) Eyeless plant.
(d) High head plant.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How many attendants helped the Shigei Sha with her ablutions?

2. What kind of flowers did the musicians wear in their head-dresses during the Festival at Kamo?

3. In the section titled "In the Fifth Month" what kind of branch gave a fragrant scent when stuck in the carriage wheel?

4. What temple did the Chancellor order the Dedication of the Full Canon to take place in?

5. Where did Shonagon like to sit after a thin fall of snow?

(see the answer keys)

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