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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 does Jonathan do for the first time since leaving Earth when he finally transports himself?

2. What is the goal Jonathan sets for himself in relation to speed and performance?

3. What does the Elder Gull tell Jonathan to keep working on right before the Elder Gull vanishes?

4. What does Fletcher do when he hears the strange voice in his head?

5. What do Jonathan's escorts wish him as they leave him alone?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. What are Jonathan's new wings seemingly made out of when he is flying in the new world?

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

8. What does Chiang tell Jonathan to forget about as he attempts to learn how to transport himself?

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

10. What is the saying Jonathan remembers about Heaven in relation to fatigue?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Flock Elders seem to be quite set in their ways, establishing an authoritarian body that doesn't take into consideration the individual needs and desires of the Gulls.

Part 1: In what ways do the Flock Elders control the other Gulls?

Part 2: How does the power of the Flock Elders affect the Gulls in the Flock?

Part 3: Does it seem as though the Flock Elders need to change their ideas? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The existence of an afterlife is something that becomes a crucial part of the knowledge and the development of some of the Gulls in this book. But the definition of this afterlife is a little harder to grasp.

Part 1: How does the knowledge of the afterlife affect Johnathan?

Part 2: What does Jonathan learn about the idea of the afterlife? How is it described to him?

Part 3: Why does Jonathan simply accept the idea of an afterlife as it is given to him?

Essay Topic 3

When Chiang vanishes, it seems to be a surprise to the reader and to the Gulls in the story. This apparent transfiguration seems to also be symbolic of Chiang's place in his learning.

Part 1: Describe the scene in which Chiang vanishes from view.

Part 2: What is thought to have happened that caused Chiang to vanish?

Part 3: Do you think this vanishing was meant to be taken literally or metaphorically? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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