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

2. The Invoker is what type of priest in "The Sacrifice of the Horse"?
(a) Brahmin.
(b) Yaman.
(c) Hotr.
(d) All-maker.

3. _____ is the cry that is made when an offering is presented to the gods.
(a) "Vasat!".
(b) "Soma!".
(c) "Agni!".
(d) "Visvakarman!".

4. What was used to protect female mourners instead of mascara or eye-shadow, as stated in the "Burial Hymn"?
(a) Clay from sacred ground.
(b) Blessed berry juice.
(c) Ritually purified butter.
(d) Ash mixed with olive oil.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Cows appear in the metaphors involving Soma as _____ or water.

2. Who eats the flesh of the sacrificed horse?

3. Indra splits open a _____ to release trapped cows.

4. Who are the ancient dark divinities?

5. What is the name of the ancient sage to whom "Requiem for a Horse" is attributed?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the function of the enclosing-sticks in "The Hymn of Man" as opposed to the fuel-sticks?

2. What is the state of clarity of the early stages of creation in "The All-maker", according to the author, and why?

3. What are the the three forms of speech highlighted in the hymn, "Speech", and what do they represent?

4. What is the significance of the membrane in "The Gods Coax Agni Out of the Waters"?

5. What is the sacred grass in "The Hymn of Man" and what is it used for?

6. Who are the Asuras in the beginning of the Vedas, as opposed to their role toward the end?

7. In "The Creation of the Sacrifice", what is the significance of weaving?

8. Who are the three brothers in "The Riddle of the Sacrifice" and with whom are they associated in the text?

9. In the hymn "The Child of the Waters", what do the three women give to the deity, and why?

10. What is the function of the "Royal Consecration" hymn, and what would accompany it?

(see the answer keys)

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