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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 "cowardly bird" say would happen the first time the birds stopped for a rest during the journey?

3. What was the color of mourning in ancient Persia?

4. Who did the hoopoe say the francolin had to reject?

5. Whom did the Shiekh Sam'an see at dawn when he smelled the "musk-diffusing breeze"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why was the murderer allowed access into heaven?

2. What did the birds ask the hoopoe about regarding the Way?

3. Describe the parrot's plumage.

4. What will the quest do for the birds?

5. How did the hoopoe define a lover while he was advising the birds?

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

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

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

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

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

Attar uses the imagery of a dog many times throughout the book. Discuss the different ways that Attar uses the imagery/referencing of a dog. Are the references negative or positive? What does Attar hope to teach through the dog's usage? Find at least three examples of where Attar used the imagery/referencing of a dog and explain the usage according to the text.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Attar's writing also used hyperbolic language. The problem with Attar's use of the hyperbole is that it is meant to be used to indicate depth. Find three examples of hyperboles from the text and discuss the meaning that Attar meant in regard to using it.

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This section contains 800 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample