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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 is the name of Castaneda's teacher for the duration of the book?

2. What is NOT one of the plants that Matus and Castaneda use within this text?

3. The answer to #85 must be taken ____________ before one masters soaring through the air, seeing where he wishes, etc.

4. Matus announces that he has _________ in order to find out Castaneda's intentions.

5. What does Castaneda ask of the lizards that Matus gives to him?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why do people keep Mescalito in a bag fastened around their arm or neck?

3. What happens when Castaneda's guide and helper arranges a meeting between Castaneda and Matus?

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

5. What area does Castaneda mark with his jacket?

6. After a year of sidestepping questions from Castaneda about Peyote, what does Matus account?

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

8. Why does Castaneda know more about Mescalito than Matus does?

9. What is the question Castaneda asks of the lizards as he was instructed not to ask anything personal the first time?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

When Castaneda has to fight other spirits which mean him harm, we can see just how engaged he must be in his work.

Part 1: Why does Castaneda recognize the spirits he fights to be out to harm him?

Part 2: What might have happened if Castaneda did not try to fight back?

Part 3: What was the purpose of the fighting with those imitators? What does this teach Castaneda?

Essay Topic 3

At many points of the story, Matus does not give Castaneda answers to his questions, leading to confusion and often frustration in Castaneda.

Part 1: List at least two questions that Castaneda asks of Matus but does not get an answer for.

Part 2: Why do you think Matus chooses not to answer some of Castaneda's questions, but does choose to answer others?

Part 3: Do you think Castaneda would learn more if Matus told him everything up front? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 691 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample