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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. Sheikh Kherghan said that his misery and pain lie __________.

2. How did Majnoun disguise himself to approach the campground?

3. What was the second test of the journey to find the Simorgh?

4. What price did Ibrahim Adham pay for poverty?

5. How did falcons fly when they were distressed, in the Valley of Love?

Short Essay Questions

1. From the story "The Beggar Who Fell in Love with Ayaz," how was it justified that a beggar could be seen as an equal in royal court?

2. Why was Husain, the son of Ali, killed?

3. How did the bird who claimed that he had bad luck substantiate his claim that he could not go on the quest with the hoopoe?

4. According to the hoopoe, what happened when one entered the Valley of Insight into Mystery?

5. What did Mahna's shiekh tell the old woman about how to pray?

6. Why did the bat wish to see the sun?

7. According to the hoopoe, who does the Way belong to?

8. Why did the hoopoe not have an exact length of the quest for the birds?

9. Describe the Valley of Detachment.

10. How did the hoopoe answer the bird that claimed to be satisfied with his spiritual state and, therefore, did not need to go on the quest to see the Simorgh?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

All of the stories that the hoopoe told were meant to provide positive assurance for the birds and their quest to find the Simorgh. Choose one of the stories and tell how the specific story helped the birds to conquer their fears and attempt the journey to find the Simorgh. Use details for support.

Essay Topic 2

The theme of love plays a large part in the book "The Conference of the Birds." Find the different definitions of love that the hoopoe uses and compare their uses throughout the stories. How is the imagery of love consistent throughout the book? Does love seem negative or positive? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the history of Farid Ud-Din Attar. Address several of the following: Who was he? Why was he important? What were his typical writings about? What was the relevance of the book The Conference of the Birds? What did Attar prove in writing the text? What did the text cost him? Who was Attar influenced by? Why was Attar influenced by Sufism?

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