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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. Where did Shonagon like to sit after a thin fall of snow?
(a) Beside a pond in the garden.
(b) Under a warm pile of blankets.
(c) Around a brazier on the veranda.
(d) In the Empress's bedchamber.

2. What did Shonagon say a woman's house should look like when she lived alone?
(a) Dilapidated.
(b) Organized.
(c) Clean but simple.
(d) Beautiful.

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

4. In "Enviable Things" what hour was it when Shonagon was still only half way to the top of the hill to get to the Upper Shrine?
(a) The Hour of the Snake.
(b) The Hour of the Dog.
(c) The Hour of the Horse.
(d) The Hour of the Rat.

5. What kind of flowers did the musicians wear in their head-dresses during the Festival at Kamo?
(a) Irises.
(b) White roses.
(c) Wistaria.
(d) Yellow roses.

Short Answer Questions

1. How many times a day did the woman Shonagon saw coming does the hill to the Upper Shrine say she was making the pilgrimage?

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

3. Which of these did Shonagon say loses by being painted?

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

5. What object did the men thrust under the blind in "On a Dark, Moonless Night in the Fifth Month?"

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why did the Chancellor tell the Empress that he must have good karma on the day after the Dedication of the Full Canon?

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

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

6. Why did Shonagon say that a woman who leaves home because she is angry with her husband has lost power?

7. Why did the priest tell the women to keep talking all night after overhearing their conversation about where the wood for the Chamberlains' batons come from and talking about the names of clothing?

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

9. Why was Shonagon impressed when the Empress guessed that the cherry blossoms had been ruined by the rain?

10. Why did the Empress keep the note Yukinari sent with the square cakes?

(see the answer keys)

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