The Parrot's Tale

1. What was the first step taken by the learned men to facilitate the bird's education?

• A) Hiring a teacher
• B) Copying many texts
• C) Building a proper cage
• D) Trimming the bird's wings

2. Why did the King reward his nephew after the nephew defended the project against detractors?

• A) Because the bird had learned to speak.
• B) Because the nephew had built a beautiful schoolroom.
• C) Because the nephew successfully dismissed the criticism as slander from those who weren't paid.
• D) Because the nephew had fired the incompetent teachers.

3. The story's ending, contrasting the dead bird with the 'green shoots of early spring', serves to highlight the conflict between:

• A) The King and his nephews.
• B) The scholars and the goldsmith.
• C) Artificial, life-destroying education and the natural, living world.
• D) Old teaching methods and new teaching methods.

4. Who was given the primary responsibility for educating the bird?

• A) The King's Minister
• B) The royal scholars
• C) The King's nephews
• D) The goldsmith

5. What was the nephew's final declaration to the King regarding the bird's status?

• A) The bird has flown away.
• B) The bird is sick and needs a doctor.
• C) The bird's education has been completed.
• D) The bird requires a bigger cage.

6. How were the lessons physically administered to the bird?

• A) The teacher sang the texts aloud.
• B) Pages of texts were torn and thrust into its mouth.
• C) The bird was shown pictures from the books.
• D) The lessons were written on the cage walls.

7. What did the 'marked improvement' that people observed actually refer to?

• A) The bird's ability to recite scriptures.
• B) The bird's improved manners and etiquette.
• C) The constant cleaning and polishing of the expensive cage.
• D) The bird's physical health and strength.