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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who wanted Shonagon to teach her the terminology that Shonagon and Tadanobu used to talk in secret?

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

3. What did a man deliver to Shonagon that was from the Empress in "One Day, When Her Majesty Was Surrounded by Several Ladies?"

4. What kind of woman did Shonagon say she couldn't understand anyone loving?

5. What kind of lodging did Shonagon stay in in "Shortly after the Twentieth of the Ninth Month?"

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Tadanobu tell Nobukata about the secret code he and Shonagon spoke in?

2. 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?

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

4. 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?

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

6. Why did Shonagon say that no one pays attention to a Palace Chaplain when he walks by?

7. Why did Shonagon want to change places with the woman she met on her way up the hill to the Upper Shrine?

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

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

10. Why was Shonagon uncertain of how to reply to Yukinari's gift of square cakes?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe life in the women's apartments. What were the apartments like and why did Shonagon enjoy living there?

Essay Topic 2

How did Shonagon's personality develop from the time when she was first a lady-in-waiting to the time when she wrote the book? What changed about her? What may have brought those changes about?

Essay Topic 3

How did living at court affect Shonagon's view of the world? How did she feel about ordinary, but necessary, things? Was her view of the world realistic?

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