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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. Who did Shonagon say would not covet being a member of the Fifth Rank?
(a) Priests.
(b) Chamberlains of the Fourth Rank.
(c) Page boys.
(d) Chamberlains of the Sixth Rank.

2. Which of the following did Shonagon include on her list of presumptuous things?
(a) Foot shuffling.
(b) Sneezing.
(c) Coughing.
(d) Burping.

3. When Shonagon first went into waiting, what was the only time of day she wanted to go before the Empress?
(a) Early morning.
(b) Afternoon.
(c) Night.
(d) Late morning.

4. Which of these did Shonagon say loses by being painted?
(a) Cranes.
(b) Pines.
(c) Cherry blossoms.
(d) Mountain villages.

5. In "On the Last Day of the Second Month," who was present at court that made Shonagon worry about her response to the note she received at the Black Door?
(a) Tadanobu.
(b) The Shigei Sha.
(c) Kinto.
(d) The Empress.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "There Was a Man in the Corridor" what was the man's servant holding?

2. Who remarked to all the ladies gathered in the corridor to watch that it "must make [them] laugh to see the foolish old man?"

3. What was stuck into the pile of snow that Emperor Murakami ordered?

4. What kind of flowers did the musicians wear in their head-dresses during the Festival at Kamo?

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 did the Empress think Shonagon was lying when she insisted she was fond of the Empress during her early days as a courtier?

2. Why did Shonagon think it was important to keep ones inkstone and writing utensil in good condition?

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

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

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

6. How did people respond to Masahiro being dressed more elegantly than most men and why did they respond that way?

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

8. Why did Shonagon spend a long time at home after the Chancellor's death?

9. What did Shonagon hope to find out by seeing the Shigei Sha and what conclusion did she come to?

10. When the ladies visited the guard house in "While We Were in Mourning for the Chancellor" why did the guards get angry with them?

(see the answer keys)

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