Name two prominent Song poets and their contributions.

• A. Su Shi (Su Dongpo) — poetry and prose; Li Qingzhao — Ci poetry and female voice
• B. Li Bai — poetry; Du Fu — poetry
• C. Wang Anshi — reforms; Ouyang Xiu — prose
• D. Bai Juyi — political essays; Li Qingzhao — essays

Answer: (A)

In Song dynasty literature, two figures stand out for their defining contributions: Su Shi (Su Dongpo) and Li Qingzhao. Su Shi is celebrated for his versatility, producing both poetry and prose that blend lucid language with deep reflection, historical awareness, and personal insight. Li Qingzhao is renowned as one of the greatest ci poets, known for lyric poems that articulate refined emotion and, notably, a distinctive female perspective within the ci tradition. This combination best reflects the era’s literary achievements: a master of multiple forms and a pioneer who gave voice to women through lyric poetry. The other options mix in poets from different periods or misstate their primary contributions—for example, Li Bai and Du Fu are Tang poets famed for poetry; Wang Anshi and Ouyang Xiu are noted for reforms and prose; Bai Juyi belongs to the Tang and is known for political essays and poetry.