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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 did the man, who refused to drink, refuse to drink?

2. What animal was the peasant leading when Sheikh Mahna came across him in the desert?

3. Who did Ahmad Hanbal consult when he felt that his mind was inadequate to answer a question?

4. What would deprive the birds of everything in the Valley of the Quest?

5. The stone man was known as ___________.

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the Valley of Bewilderment.

2. What must one do to find God in the Valley of the Quest?

3. What did the hoopoe tell the birds to expect in the Valley of Love?

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

5. What was the definition of justice that the hoopoe gave to the birds?

6. What were the two things that the Sheikh of Turkestan loved?

7. Describe the Valley of Detachment.

8. Why did the slave not complain about the apple that his king gave to him?

9. 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?

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

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 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

At the end of the book, the birds find out that they are, in fact, the Simorgh. Discuss the inferences that are made throughout the book that hint at this being true. How did their concerns, actions, fears, and successes lead you to believe that the birds were the Simorgh.

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