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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. One must stop seeing oneself as trapped in a _________, according to the Elder Gull.

2. What does the Elder Gull tell Jonathan to forget about as he is learning to transport himself?

3. Jonathan now has new wings of polished _________.

4. Only on occasion does Jonathan remember using wings in the fight for _________.

5. Jonathan believes heaven ought not have natural __________.

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe what happens when Chiang passes to the other world, or transfigures, as many might call it.

2. What does Sullivan declare about Jonathan in relation to his approach to learning?

3. When will Jonathan touch heaven, according to Chiang's answers?

4. Where does Jonathan believe he is in this section of the book?

5. What is the one thing Chiang thinks Jonathan needs to work on as he continues to develop his flying and his abilities?

6. What does Jonathan notice about the other gulls, but he falls asleep before he can try out this technique?

7. How many lives do most gulls need in order to come to the basic realization that there is more to life?

8. What does Jonathan want to do once his Guru has vanished and left his side?

9. How does Chiang demonstrate touching heaven, which dazzles Jonathan and makes him want to learn more from this guru?

10. Who is Jonathan's initial instructor when he arrives in this strange land?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Council for the Flock seems to want to discredit Jonathan's work in order to render him powerless over the rest of the Flock who has not converted. This seems to be quite realistic in relation to the way some governments control their people's perceptions as well.

Part 1: Why does the Council want to discredit Jonathan?

Part 2: What would the benefits of his being discredited be for the Flock? For the Council?

Part 3: What does the Council do in order to attempt to discredit Jonathan?

Essay Topic 2

The sacrificial death and resurrection of Fletcher is something that works to secure the reputation of the small group of students, even though it was meant to harm their appearance to the rest of the Flock.

Part 1: How did the sacrificial death and resurrection of Fletcher take place? Please describe how this occurred.

Part 2: To what else can this death and resurrection be compared? What other story seems to have been used as the inspiration for this situation?

Part 3: Do you think these events had to happen to Fletcher in order to make the group of students reputable? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The idea of the master's place in a student's life is also questioned in the last part of the book. In the relationship of Fletcher and Jonathan, the way these two Gulls interact impacts them both greatly.

Part 1: What does Fletcher decide to do in order to help spread the word about the lessons he's learned?

Part 2: Why does Jonathan remain at the side of Fletcher? Was this a good idea? Why or why not?

Part 3: Why does Jonathan have to help Fletcher using one of Chiang's techniques? Was this a good idea? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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