RE: question about instructor
A lot of good information presented here. I'd like to add that as a flight instructor, I'd do a thorough inspection of your plane (like I do for any maiden, including my own planes), take your plane up for a quick trim flight and land it, then check it over to make sure everything is still airworthy. After that I'd take it off and start having you fly some basic turns and progress from there depending on the skill level you are at. There is no way any of us can give you a specific answer as to what we, as instructors, would have you do until you are actually on the buddy box and flying the plane.
The best thing you can do is listen to what your instructor wants you to do, and try to do it as well as you can. The better you listen and work at it, the sooner you'll be solo and off the trainer box.
Hogflyer