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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In "We Have Drunk the Soma", Dawn harnesses _____ to her chariot to bring treasure to the singer of the hymn.
(a) Indra.
(b) Docile cows.
(c) Seven eagles.
(d) The sun.

2. How many people restrain the horse of Tvastr during sacrifice?
(a) Four.
(b) Eight.
(c) Ten.
(d) Two.

3. What is the path of death referred to, as in "The Boy and the Chariot"?
(a) The lonely road.
(b) The water trail.
(c) The golden road.
(d) The evil way.

4. In the hymn "Yama and the Fathers", who is being told to go away from the burning-ground where they live?
(a) Cold-blooded snakes.
(b) Flesh-eating ghouls.
(c) Mud daubers.
(d) Ants.

5. What are the sisters that embrace the pressing stones?
(a) Fingers.
(b) Gems.
(c) Other stones.
(d) Dirt.

6. Who is the mother of the sun?
(a) Dusk.
(b) Fire.
(c) Love.
(d) Dawn.

7. How many shafts does the chariot have in "The Boy and the Chariot"?
(a) One.
(b) Three.
(c) Seven.
(d) None.

8. At the end of "The Birth of Agni", what does Agni turn into?
(a) A horse.
(b) A demon.
(c) A frog.
(d) A bull.

9. The traditional _____ in the Rig Veda is the tale of the king and the priest.
(a) Gale.
(b) Gloss.
(c) Glue.
(d) Glamour.

10. What is the female element in the oblation ritual called?
(a) The air taker.
(b) The boneless one.
(c) The fourth element.
(d) The sky maker.

11. Saryanavat is the name of the _____ where Soma plants are found.
(a) Marshes.
(b) Mountains.
(c) River.
(d) Plain.

12. How many corners does the earth have in "A Spell to Turn Back the Departing Spirit"?
(a) Four.
(b) One.
(c) Two.
(d) Three.

13. What is the male element of the newborn sun or fire?
(a) Heat.
(b) Bones.
(c) The flames.
(d) Eyes.

14. The Maruts are referred to as _____ in "The Cows in the Cave".
(a) The small ones.
(b) The quick ones.
(c) The dark ones.
(d) The elite ones.

15. Who eats the flesh of the sacrificed horse?
(a) Women.
(b) Poets.
(c) Priests.
(d) Dogs.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the word 'tapas' mean?

2. What is another English term for what means 'little ship' in Sanskrit?

3. What is the center of the wheel in the "All-Maker" myth called?

4. What are the four social classes in Indian civilization called?

5. What work does the author think the "The Boy and the Chariot" might be the kernel of?

(see the answer keys)

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