The bird exhibits a relatively thorough understanding of the lessons from the simplified shapes/edges project, and your tapered strokes are representative of knowledge regarding the need for relaxation in confidence for your strokes. That said, there is still anxiety present. The lines are thin and messy in places, and it feels like you are allowing the tip of your pencil to guide you instead of vice versa. Honestly, though, this is a successful attempt. I look forward to seeing your future progression! I like the bird

It is a bit difficult to tell the value difference from the cast shadow and the values near the ambient occlusion at the bottom of the pear. That said, you differentiated the planes into clear shapes. It looks like you didn't include the core shadow (darkest shadow) in the drawing. Overall, you got the basics--simplifying shapes using clear and crisp edges.

With the second pear your shapes are more well defined, and the edges are sharper. Your improvement is obvious. Nice job!