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

2. 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.

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

4. When Shonagon first went into waiting, what was the only time of day she wanted to go before the Empress?
(a) Afternoon.
(b) Late morning.
(c) Night.
(d) Early morning.

5. Which of these was included in the list of things that had lost their power?
(a) A large tree that was blown down.
(b) An ancient Emperor.
(c) A retreating storm.
(d) A dead fish washed up on a beach.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What was the poem Captain Tadanobu was going to recite in "One Day Captain Tadanobu, the Imperial Adviser, Came to Call?"

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

4. Which of these was not on Shonagon's list of things that should be large.

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Why was Nobukata upset by Shonagon's response to his inquiry about how she felt about the poem "had not yet reached the term of thirty?"

2. When the ladies visited the guard house in "While We Were in Mourning for the Chancellor" why did the guards get angry with them?

3. Why did the Empress say that she could understand why Shonagon would be particularly impressed by Tadanobu's finding the perfect lines to say at a gathering following a service for the late Chancellor?

4. Why was Shonagon happy to receive a note from a man that read "the rain that swells the water?"

5. How did people respond to Masahiro being dressed more elegantly than most men and why did they respond that way?

6. Why did Shonagon prefer that the envoys in the Special Festival at Kamo keep their faces concealed with wisteria?

7. Why was Shonagon so impressed with Michinaga's obeisance to the Chancellor?

8. Why was Shonagon concerned about having to write the opening lines to a few lines of poetry she received when Kinto was present?

9. Why was Nobukata offended when Shonagon teased him about liking to have a place to lie down and rest?

10. Why did Shonagon say festivals held near the palace were distant but near?

(see the answer keys)

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