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

2. What word is often identified with the soul?
(a) Sound.
(b) Fire.
(c) Water.
(d) Breath.

3. How many people slaughter the horse of Tvastr during sacrifice?
(a) Twenty.
(b) Six.
(c) One.
(d) Twelve.

4. What is the piece of wood attached crosswise at the top of the stake used in the horse sacrifice?
(a) The knob.
(b) The cleft.
(c) The corbel.
(d) The weft.

5. The mane of a horse is a metaphor for what?
(a) The rain.
(b) The crops in the fields.
(c) The love of Indra.
(d) The rays of the sun.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the name of the sacrificial drink pressed from a plant?

2. Who are the ancient dark divinities?

3. In "We Have Drunk the Soma", Dawn harnesses _____ to her chariot to bring treasure to the singer of the hymn.

4. Who is a kavi?

5. Varuna and Mitra are keepers of the _____.

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Who eats from the tree of knowledge in "The Riddle of the Sacrifice", and what does this mean?

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

4. What does the hymn, "The Sacrificial Priests", liken the work of the priests to? How?

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

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

7. What is the function of the goat in "The Funeral Fire"?

8. Who are the Angirases and with whom are they often linked?

9. What is the meaning of the use of hunger in "In praise of Generosity"?

10. What is the role of the goat in "The Sacrifice of the Horse" and for whom does it do this?

(see the answer keys)

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