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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. Don Juan impresses Castaneda with his knowledge of the life habits of _____________.

2. Don Juan says that the only thing indispensable to their work together is __________.

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

4. What does Don Juan give to Castaneda when he begins to drink his water, saying it will quench his thirst?

5. When a man takes responsibility for his decisions, he can move ahead without ___________ or remorse.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the lesson of this chapter for Castaneda, according to Don Juan?

2. How does Don Juan respond to the statement by Castaneda that he is a Yaqui Indian and he cannot deny that?

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

4. What does Don Juan instruct Castaneda to do when they are hiking and Castaneda just wants to rest?

5. What is Don Juan's response to Castaneda's attempts to try to fill in a genealogy chart for Don Juan?

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

7. What does Don Juan say to Castaneda when he asks how someone can drop his personal history?

8. What is Don Juan's assessment of Castaneda's feelings about himself and how they will affect his learning?

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

10. What does Don Juan do with the five quails that the two men capture during the day?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout this story are various omens that are meant to show Castaneda things about himself.

Part 1: Why are omens important in this story?

Part 2: Which omen is most important to Castaneda's learning? Why?

Part 3: Why do you think the crow continues to show up for Castaneda in this book?

Essay Topic 2

The fear that Castaneda must have felt when Don Juan suggested he bury him is understandable.

Part 1: Why do you think Don Juan did not decide to bury Castaneda in the end?

Part 2: Why do you think Don Juan decided to tell Castaneda that he had thought about burying him before? Was this done purposefully?

Part 3: Do you think Don Juan ever had the true intention of burying Castaneda? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

One's personal history is something we are accustomed to thinking about, but Don Juan is insistent that people forget this in order to learn and to grow.

Part 1: How does Don Juan define the idea of a personal history? How does this differ from Castaneda's definition?

Part 2: Why is a personal history important to keep sacred?

Part 3: Why might a personal history get in the way of learning and spiritual growth?

(see the answer keys)

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