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 is the other name given to a person who is considered to be a medicine man?

2. ___________ is used to acquire wisdom and to learn how to live right.

3. What is made of equal portions of Datura seeds and the weevils that live off of them?

4. Matus says he has chosen Castaneda for a long and ____________ apprenticeship.

5. What is the figurine of the man carded from a female Datura root, holding an agave thorn like a spear?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Carlos Castaneda want to work with Don Juan Matus?

2. Though Castaneda and Matus are not able to work together all the time, what does this provide to Castaneda?

3. What does Matus not like about Jimson Weed, the next plant that Castaneda and he explore together?

4. Once someone knows Mescalito well, what does 'he' appear as?

5. What does Castaneda begin to experience by the sixth cycle of taking dry buttons?

6. Describe the appearance of the two lizards that Matus shows to Castaneda.

7. Where are Castaneda and the six Indians driving to when he arrives at Matus' home on August 4, 1961?

8. What has Matus decided Castaneda is ready to endure?

9. What are the four 'heads' of Jimson Weed, or Devil's Weed?

10. When Matus laughs at Castaneda's discomfort, what is the piece of advice he shares?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The work with Mescalito is intense and in the end quite satisfying for Castaneda.

Part 1: Describe two of the experiences Castaneda has with Mescalito.

Part 2: Does Mescalito seem to be helping Castaneda in his questions and in his lessons? Why or why not?

Part 3: Is Mescalito a separate entity or is it something that is within Castaneda? How did you come to your answer?

Essay Topic 2

The Jimson Weed is said to give its user feelings of power and of total domination over others, which can make men change in positive and in negative ways.

Part 1: How is power defined in relation to Jimson Weed? What kinds of power does the weed provide?

Part 2: Why is this feeling of power something that is harmful to those who utilize the weed?

Part 3: Why do you think this plant is used in order to teach students if it is also something which might corrupt them?

Essay Topic 3

Sometimes the experiences Castaneda has during this story are seemingly times when he goes mad or loses control of his senses.

Part 1: Describe the scene in which Castaneda is playing with the black dog.

Part 2: Do you think this black dog is real? Why or why not?

Part 3: What are some other explanations for the presence of the black dog in this scene?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 663 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample