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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. The day after the sorcery, one must return to the ________ and ask the two participating lizards to come out again.

2. What is Castaneda to eat along with the other men who are there?

3. What is repulsing and frightening to him in one of the places he has marked?

4. Castaneda plays and ________ with this image from #45.

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Castaneda do with the dog he sees while he is taking the mescalitos?

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

3. Why does Matus grow angry with Castaneda after his experience?

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

5. Why is Matus not on his porch as usual on November 23rd, causing Castaneda to worry?

6. Why does Matus declare all is well the next evening after Castaneda has taken the buttons?

7. What is the test Matus has for Castaneda in order to determine if he dares to meet Mescalito?

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

9. What does Castaneda focus on the Indians' pre-contact use of, as illustrated by his experiences in this book?

10. What question does Matus initially refuse to answer, saying that it is inappropriate for ordinary conversations?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The role of Matus in the story is part teacher, part benefactor, and part mystery. He knows much and teaches much, but says little and explains even less.

Part 1: Describe the character of Matus and what makes him a good teacher and medicine man, in your opinion.

Part 2: Why does Matus teach others the secrets he has learned from his benefactor?

Part 3: What do you think Matus gains from teaching others in this story?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

The relationship between Matus and Castaneda is the guiding force in the story, each helping the other learn and grow in their understanding of themselves.

Part 1: Describe the relationship between Matus and Castaneda at the beginning of this book, before their work together begins.

Part 2: Compare and contrast the relationship between Matus and Castaneda from the beginning of the book to the end of the book. What changes?

Part 3: Why do you think Matus took Castaneda on as a student? What reasons might he have had outside of what he shared?

(see the answer keys)

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