Before present given test about shepherds (8)
I believe the answer is:
pastoral
'about shepherds' is the definition.
(I know this)
'before present given test' is the wordplay.
'before present given' becomes 'past' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'test' becomes 'oral' (oral is a type of examination).
'past'+'oral'='PASTORAL'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for pastoral that I've seen before include "Ministerial" , "Of shepherds; pupil-welfare (responsibility)" , "Relating to personal care - in the countryside, perhaps" , "Of shepherds or spiritual guides" , "Idyllic" .)