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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What was painted on the sliding screen in the back of the hall at Seiryo Palace?
(a) Stormy sea.
(b) Plum blossoms.
(c) Cherry trees.
(d) Dragons.

2. In the section called "Depressing Things," what was depressing about a letter from the provinces?
(a) When the letter bore bad news.
(b) When the letter was on plain paper.
(c) When the penmanship was poor.
(d) When the letter arrived without a gift.

3. What color was the lute Shonagon saw the Empress holding in the section called "A Group of Senior Courtiers?"
(a) Silver.
(b) Red.
(c) Black.
(d) Brown.

4. What was Shonagon's elder brother's name?
(a) Tadanobu.
(b) Narimasa.
(c) Norimitsu
(d) Tsunefusa.

5. What instrument did His Majesty play?
(a) Harp.
(b) Trumpet.
(c) Flute.
(d) Drum.

Short Answer Questions

1. What was the five-year-old boy that Shonagon saw while traveling her carriage one day holding?

2. What kind of carriage was supposed to move slowly according to Shonagon?

3. During what festival did people decorate with irises?

4. What was the residence of the Major Captain of the Smaller Palace of the First Ward called?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Shonagon say a wickerwork carriage should move swiftly?

2. Why did the women laugh at the paintings on the sliding screen in Seiryo Palace?

3. Why didn't the women write their hototogisu poems after going on an outing to hear them sing?

4. What was the reason given for the way the snap-beetle bowed while crawling?

5. Why did Shonagon say that young herbs peeking through the snow were unexpected near the Palace?

6. How did Shonagon describe the life of a priest?

7. The herbal balls hung on the pillars of the Empress' palace during the Festival of the Fifth Month were supposed to last until the next Chrysanthemum Festival. Why didn't they last until then?

8. Why were Shonagon and the other women disgusted by the response of some of the servants who were carrying attractively wrapped bundles and bags when the women asked them who the packages belonged to?

9. Why did Shonagon change her opinion of the blossom of the pear tree?

10. Why did Shonagon find it annoying when a man who was not more than an acquaintance came for a casual chat?

(see the answer keys)

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