View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Castaneda's problem, according to Don Juan, is that he compulsively _________ everything to everyone.

2. Don Juan says that Castaneda's flaw is that he does not take _____________ for what he does.

3. What kind of animal does Don Juan talk about having chased during his life?

4. Don Juan says that Castaneda is too __________ and should start to erase himself.

5. To Castaneda, Don Juan's ways would make his life more ____________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the benefit of Castaneda paying Don Juan for his services and for his lessons?

2. Who is the funny bird that Don Juan wants Castaneda to remember from his youth?

3. Why is Carlos Castaneda seeking the lessons of Don Juan in this book?

4. Don Juan shares something about the crow cawing, something that surprised it about its cawing - what surprised him?

5. What did Castaneda's father promise to do when he was young, though he never followed through on this promise?

6. Don Juan says it is not enough to know how to make or to set traps. What does one have to do in order to change?

7. What does Don Juan tell Castaneda to never do while he is walking?

8. What does Don Juan point out about the water rats they observe the entire morning?

9. Don Juan says that some people live happily because of one thing - what is this one state of mind?

10. How does one find the proper place to rest, according to the lessons of Don Juan?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The idea of routine is one that seems to conflict with the process of hunting. After all, if one can be predictable, they can also be hunted.

Part 1: Why does Don Juan believe that routines are harmful to a person?

Part 2: Why does Castaneda think that routines are a good thing to have in one's life?

Part 3: What do you think? Do you think routines help or hurt people? Support your answer with real life experiences.

Essay Topic 2

The idea of 'not-doing' is one that is foreign to many people as our lives are centered on getting more and more done, it seems.

Part 1: How would you define the idea of 'not-doing' in the modern world?

Part 2: Why is 'not-doing' so important for the work that Don Juan and Castaneda are doing?

Part 3: What might happen if 'not-doing' was not a part of the lessons that Castaneda receives?

Essay Topic 3

Don Juan is insistent that Castaneda must not want change because he doesn't seem to be changing much between their meetings.

Part 1: Why is it important to Don Juan that he see change in Castaneda?

Part 2: Do you think Castaneda really wants to change himself? Why or why not?

Part 3: Can a person avoid changing? Why or why not? Isn't change just a natural process that doesn't need to be instigated? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 699 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample