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. What do the author and the tribesmen use as a means for fairly successful communication?

2. Where is the author taken to watch the natives perform?

3. What sort of creatures surround the author and cleanse her body of dead skin, her nose of obstructions, and her ears of wax?

4. What does the author contemplate after she observs the healing of Great Stone Hunter?

5. What kind of "process" does the author undergo that involves smoke?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to the author's feet as a result of the initial walkabout?

2. What do the members of the tribe seem to be working together to create and how does the author respond?

3. What is the thematic pattern that is apparent in this quest narrative?

4. What do the Aborigines speak of doing as a desire to change the trajectory of their future?

5. What does Regal Black Swan tell the author about the flies and why they are here to help and how she cannot survive without them?

6. What kind of acceptance ritual occurs as they all prepare to sleep?

7. Why does the author give herself the talent-name of "Dung-Collector"?

8. What do The Real People believe that illness and/or injury is really an opportunity for?

9. What does the young man who reads her palm tell the author about why she has come to Australia?

10. Why is the author invited to move to Australia to work?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the religious aspects of the book in terms of The Real People's connection with Jesus. How do they view Jesus? How do they view "The Oneness" in association with Jesus and organized religion? Contrast The Real People's perception of their connection with "The Oneness" and the practice of organized religion (violence, control, rivalry) . Use examples from the five major world religions (Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism) as well as dialogue from the text to support your findings.

Essay Topic 2

Describe the use of the literary element of foreshadowing, most evident in the rock. Also discuss how the Aborigine named Tribal Elder proves to be an important link to the author's past and present. What does the author hope to gain by using this literary device? Use examples of the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

What is the role of animals in MUTANT MESSAGE DOWN UNDER? Describe how animals have messages of their own to share with the Aboriginal people and the Mutants. In what ways do the animals help to dismantle the fear in the author? Discuss the slayed camel, the snakes, and other animals relative to the story.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 843 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample