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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to the hoopoe's story about the spider, how did the spider spend his days?

2. What did the hoopoe wear on his breast?

3. What is the real reason that the nightingale said he could not go on the journey to find the Simorgh?

4. What did Malek Dinar claim that he had done after getting bread from God?

5. Where did the hawk claim to perch daily?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened in China in regard to the Simorgh?

2. According to the text, how does an earthly king act?

3. What happened after the hoopoe was chosen as their leader?

4. What was the meaning behind the story "A Pauper in Love with the King of Egypt"?

5. What did Socrates say to his student about burying him?

6. Describe the parrot's plumage.

7. What reason did the nightingale give for not wanting to go on the journey to find the Simorgh?

8. What was the hoopoe's response to the partridge's excuse for not wanting to go on the quest for the Simorgh?

9. Why did the birds decide that they needed a king?

10. Why did a "cowardly bird" protest going on the quest for the Simorgh?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the different perils of the seven valleys. What did each valley possess that created a conflict for the journey. Why did the birds fear the valley? What did it mean for the birds that made it through each valley? What did each valley represent in life?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the actual conference of the birds. What was the purpose of the conference? What did the birds learn about the journey that they were to go on? Why does this journey parallel one that can be seen in anyone's life?

Essay Topic 3

Religious figures and stories are intertwined throughout the novel. Discuss the usage of Christianity in the book. What does the use of Christian imagery and characters do to the meaning of the story? How did Attar use religion as an image in the book? Did the use of Christianity help in understanding the book? Why/Why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 820 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample