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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 color is Jonathan when he appears beside Fletcher?

2. The Elder Gull says, "Flight only requires only understanding how to _____."

3. Jonathan believes heaven ought not have natural __________.

4. What does Jonathan feel even though none of the gulls he sees greet him?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The old guru Chiang is a mystical figure in this story. His wisdom seems far beyond even the realms of heaven. Just like any guru, he seems to be a little vague in his explanations, but at the same time, his knowledge and teaching help everyone around him

Part 1: What does Chiang propose as the description of heaven?

Part 2: What does it mean when the book says Chiang teaches Jonathan to transcend time?

Part 3: Do you think it's possible to transcend time? Why or why not?

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

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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