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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. To where does Mama Chia take Dan?

2. As Mama Chia hurries among gravestones and speaks with new urgency, what does Dan feel?

3. What does Dan think is one reason Socrates sends him to Mama Chia?

4. For what is Mama Chia at high risk?

5. What does Dan's disembodied self do?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Dan's experience of "rebirth."

2. What does Mama Chia say about second-floor energies?

3. From whom does Dan ask permission to be there and what do you think this is symbolic of?

4. What does Dan realize he has to do and what do you think that means?

5. How does Mama Chia answer Dan's question about having money and supporting his family?

6. What do you think Mama Chia means when she says that "The Great Leap" is frightful, but above the heart, it becomes "an elevator ride?"

7. What does Dan say about himself at the beginning of chapter 13, and what do you think he means?

8. What vision does Dan have as he meditates by the waterfall?

9. How does Mama Chia explain the Tower of Seven Floors?

10. Where does Mama Chia take Dan to stay for a few days and what is his initial response?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

After a few days, Dan is washed up on the island of Molokai. Discuss the following:

What is a brief history of the island of Molokai?

What are possible symbolic interpretations of the fact that Dan lands on Molokai instead of any other of the Hawaiian Islands?

When Molokai first becomes established as a leper colony in the 1800's, there is no cure for leprosy, though there is today. What is Dan's "illness?" Do you think, based on the first few chapters, Dan will find a cure for his "illness" on Molokai?

Essay Topic 2

Mama Chia tells a story about Sachi, who goes up to her baby brother and asks, "'Baby, tell me what God feels like. I'm starting to forget.'" Discuss the following:

What do you think this story means?

Do you think traditional religions would have an explanation for this story?

Do you think infants and young children are closer to God than older children and adults? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Once Dan has found Ruth Johnson, she gives him a note with some instructions. Discuss the following:

Do you think Dan is wise to blindly follow the note which has him do something that is quite foolhardy?

Given that Dan later learns that he lost part of the note and he was supposed to take food, water and sunscreen, do you think if he had had the complete set of instructions from the beginning he would have been justified in following the path he chooses?

There is a aphorism, "no pain, no gain." Does this saying apply in Dan's experience with the surfboard?

(see the answer keys)

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