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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Everyone the author looks, what does he see?
(a) Joy and optimism.
(b) Beggars.
(c) Others searching for something, too.
(d) Prosperity.

2. What is it that Ruth suggest Dan needs in this situation?
(a) Trust and faith.
(b) A sense of direction.
(c) Resolve.
(d) Wisdom.

3. What is the feeling of stagnation?
(a) A means of staying quiet to heal.
(b) The soul getting a running start.
(c) The hope of moving forward.
(d) A waste of energy.

4. What becomes an obsession to Dan?
(a) Finding a direction.
(b) Thirst.
(c) Rescue.
(d) Revenge.

5. What is the board like that Dan finds?
(a) He cannot find a board.
(b) A dented, fiberglass board that is slightly too short for his frame.
(c) Like the ones the old Hawaiians used.
(d) A new slick, fiberglass board.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Dan respond when he realizes his predicament?

2. What does Mama Chia say when Dan tells her he is drained and depressed?

3. What are the Basic Self, Conscious Self and Higher Self?

4. At some point, what would Dan have traded for some water?

5. Where does Millman decide to go?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Dan decide to commence his search for the woman of whom Socrates had once told Dan, and do you think that is a logical solution?

2. What do you think about what Mama Chia says about suffering?

3. How does Dan feel about his personal connection to India?

4. Describe Dan's experience in his dreamlike state in chapter 7 and his reaction to the dream.

5. How does Mama Chia interpret Dan's bad dream?

6. Dan says he would trade enlightenment for one glass of "pure, cool, quenching water." What do you think this says about the human condition?

7. Chapter four opens with what quote and what do you think it means?

8. Did you think it is smart of Dan to just mount a surfboard and go out from shore having no experience with this kind of activity?

9. Dan tries to stay awake and conscious because he's afraid of what might happen if he falls asleep. Do you think this is symbolic of anything?

10. How has Mama Chia been healing Dan and what do you think of her method?

(see the answer keys)

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