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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. How many months of extra research does Castaneda do in preparation for his work with Don Juan?

2. When a rock crashes down a hill nearby, Don Juan tells Castaneda that it is an _____________

3. Don Juan says that he will teach Castaneda to be a ___________, though that might not make him one.

4. Castaneda can't believe Don Juan takes ____________ as reality.

5. What does Castaneda complain about, though Don Juan tells him they are not important?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What does Don Juan reveal to be the true identity of the dog that Castaneda saw during his peyote experience?

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

7. What is Don Juan's response when Castaneda tells him he will pay Don Juan appropriately for the lessons he will learn?

8. What must Castaneda learn in order to know where to place the traps he is going to make?

9. What does Don Juan's intimidating glance cause Castaneda to do before he approaches him again?

10. What does Don Juan want Castaneda to see in his eyes when he commands him to look at him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Between Don Juan and Castaneda is a trust that seems to allow their work to be successful, even when it doesn't appear to do anything.

Part 1: Why do you think Castaneda trusts Don Juan during these lessons?

Part 2: What might happen if Castaneda didn't trust Don Juan or vice versa?

Part 3: Why is trust so important to have between these two men as they work together?

Essay Topic 2

Don Genero talks to Castenada about being ready to tackle one's ally, which causes Castaneda to seriously consider whether he is ready for that challenge.

Part 1: Why do you think Don Genero told this story to Castaneda?

Part 2: Why doesn't Castaneda feel like he is ready to continue his learning?

Part 3: Why is is important to battle one's own ally? What will it provide to the warrior?

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)

This section contains 700 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample