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

2. What does Dan jokingly say he'll call the diet he follows while floating on the surfboard?

3. Who heals Mama Chia's psyche after a failed marriage?

4. What does Dan find at the end of chapter 4?

5. What is the main thing that keeps Dan looking after feeling quite discouraged?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Dan say about death and how do you think he will overcome his feelings about it?

2. Dan remembers that Ruth wrote that the experience he is on is a question of "trust and faith." Do you believe this is true?

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

4. How does Ruth respond to Dan's appearance at the party and what do you think this foreshadows?

5. What is the irony of Dan's situation out on the vast Pacific Ocean?

6. What does the college give Dan and where does he go?

7. 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?

8. Dan falls asleep, which could be what is called in literary terms, a "narrative contrivance." What do you think that means in context of this story and Dan falling asleep?

9. For what is Dan searching in India and why does he choose India?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dan talks about death, which has bothered him since the surfboard incident. He recalls an Oberlin student dying despite prayers. Mama Chia says that God always answers prayers but sometimes says no, as do loving parents. Discuss the following:

What is prayer?

Why do you think many people pray?

Do you think most people truly believe their prayers will be answered?

Why does it seem many people are surprised when it appears that their prayer(s) have been answered?

Essay Topic 2

Mama Chia leads Dan to a village of people suffering from leprosy. Discuss the following:

What is Dan's initial reaction to his "assignment" from Mama Chia? Why?

How and why does Dan's attitude eventually change? Does the change seem sincere?

What do you think is the purpose of this situation in which Mama Chia places Dan?

How do you think you would handle a similar situation?

Essay Topic 3

As Mama Chia and Dan are hiking, Mama Chia declares that Dan is strong enough to carry her backpack and sets off. Dan laments, knowing that he is supposed to do something but does nothing. Discuss one of the following:

Analyze what you think Dan is supposed to do and why he seems paralyzed in inaction.

How does Dan finally overcome his inability to do what he is supposed to do?

Do you feel there is something important in your life that you are to do? Discuss your approach to fulfilling that sense of purpose.

(see the answer keys)

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