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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 do the crowds that follow the Messiah call him, besides "Messiah" and "Master?"

2. What is the longer title for the book that Shimoda gives to Richard when he asks about how to train to become a Master? Messiah's Manual & Reminders for the _____________.

3. Shimoda says he knows past, present, and future, but he has no ___________.

4. For how many years has the man in the wheelchair been in his current state?

5. Shimoda says many beginners do ___________ in their sleep.

Short Essay Questions

1. What message from the book does Richard think does not apply to him?

2. What does Shimoda tell people they are in control of, though always in the parable format?

3. What does Shimoda assure Richard about the training to be a Messiah?

4. What does Richard answer when Shimoda asks him why he is at the movie?

5. Describe the character of Donald Shimoda.

6. What does Shimoda claim to Richard when they first meet?

7. What does Shimoda give to Richard when Richard asks how Shimoda can know so much and how he can learn about being a Messiah?

8. What leaves Richard dumbfounded after he tries to impress Shimoda with a show-off landing?

9. Describe the story the Messiah uses in order to answer the millworker's objection that the Master does not have to work.

10. What does the book say about the idea of clouds and their impressions of the world?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The idea of magnetizing is another lesson that Richard needs to learn as he is becoming a master.

Part 1: Describe the idea of magnetizing.

Part 2: Describe Richard's first attempt at magnetizing.

Part 3: What does Shimoda say Richard should have done in order to make Richard's magnetizing attempt more successful?

Essay Topic 2

The idea of a Messiah being able to quit is a unique idea in the eyes of most readers.

Part 1: How is the term Messiah defined in this story?

Part 2: Why does Shimoda want to quit his position as a Messiah?

Part 3: How does Shimoda end up quitting his role as the Master or Messiah?

Essay Topic 3

The assassination of Shimoda has been alluded to throughout the book, though it's no less shocking when it does happen.

Part 1: Describe the scene in which Shimoda is killed.

Part 2: What is Richard's reaction to the killing of Shimoda?

Part 3: What is the result of Shimoda's assassination? What happened to Richard as a result?

(see the answer keys)

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