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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. At what time of the year does Millman arrive in Delhi?

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

3. What do you think is the hardest thing about leaving for Millman?

4. Why has Dan no sense of time or bearings?

5. Who takes care of Dan when he is recovering from his days at sea?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What is the phrase that Ruth uses that catches Dan's attention and how would you characterize their encounter?

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

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

6. Why does Dan decide to stop over in Hawaii and what do you think is the reason for his layover?

7. What does Dan realize he must do at this time in his life?

8. What is the island of Molokai and why is it appropriate that Dan wash up on its shore?

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

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Besides being a retired banker, Mama Chia is also a midwife, who is busy bringing a new life into the world while Dan is recuperating from exposure and dehydration. Discuss one of the following:

What are the parallels between Dan's surfboard experience and Mama Chia bringing a new baby into the world?

Discuss the seeming paradox that Mama Chia works for and retires from a bank and is also a shaman and midwife.

What do you think Dan needs to birth?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Dan writes that every day one must choose to master the energy of life or squander it. Discuss the following:

What do you think Dan means by the above statement? Give examples from the text and your own life if applicable.

Analyze and discuss several times in the text when you think Dan squanders the energy of life.

Analyze and discuss several times in the text when you think Dan masters the energy of life.

(see the answer keys)

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