II.  Read the passage about the royal examinations, and then answer the questions.

      The practice of holding royal examinations to select talented people for administration began in 1075. It continued throughout the Le dynasty and up to 1919 when the Nguyen dynasty held the last examination. For more than 300 years, royal examinations had been irregularly, and the number of laureates for each exam was small. In 1434, Emperor Le Thai Tong ordered that examinations should be held regularly, once every three years. From 1442, laureates of a royal examination were awarded the title “Tien si ” (Doctoral laureate), and one stone tablet was erected for each examination. From 1484 to 1780, 82 stone tablets were erected to record the names of 1304 Tien si.

1.   When did the practice of holding Royal examinations begin? When did it end?

2.   How long did the royal examinations last?

3.   Who ordered that the royal examinations should be held regularly? When did it happen?

4.   Which title were the laureates of a royal examination awarded?

5.   How many stone tablets were erected from 1484 to 1780?