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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. What will traveling in the past and in the future help Jonathan to know the meaning of? Kindness and __________.

2. The Elder Gulls says that ________ is not a place or a time but means being perfect.

3. Some gulls need how many lives in order to find that life is about more than eating?

4. There is a saying Jonathan remembers - Gulls never ________ in heaven.

5. What does Jonathan's instructor say about Johnathan? He is a one in a __________ birds.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Chiang's response to Jonathan's question about whether this place is heaven or not?

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

3. What is the best speed Jonathan can reach in this new and delightful setting in the story?

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

5. When does Jonathan make the first sound since leaving Earth?

6. What does Jonathan believe Heaven should do in terms of limits?

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

8. What does Jonathan's teacher say when Johnathan asks why there are so few gulls in their location?

9. What are people saying about the Elder Gull, Chiang, as he is introduced in the story?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The idea of Jonathan being a freethinker seems to be both good and bad. At times, it seems Jonathan might be making more of a mess of his life than he needs to.

Part 1: In what ways does Jonathan's freethinking benefit him in this story?

Part 2: In what ways does Jonathan's freethinking hurt him in this story?

Part 3: If you were in Jonathan's shoes, what sort of life would you choose - a freethinker or a follower? What is the reasoning behind your answer?

Essay Topic 2

The meaning of life seems to be the overall theme of this book, with the introduction of the 'normal" life for the Gulls versus the life Jonathan strives to have.

Part 1: What is the meaning of life as defined by the Gulls?

Part 2: What is the meaning of life as defined by Jonathan?

Part 3: Does the idea of the meaning of life change throughout the story? How? If not, why not?

Essay Topic 3

Jonathan seems to be a Gull with otherworldly ambitions, it seems. He is always striving for something more, while also asking questions of all around him.

Part 1: Why does Jonathan want more from his life?

Part 2: What does Jonathan want from his life and its experiences?

Part 3: Why doesn't Jonathan just settle for what other Gulls want from their lives? What makes him different?

(see the answer keys)

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