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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 does Matus order Castaneda to do once he slumps to the floor, unable to breathe?

2. What does Castaneda do when he walks out into the field of peyote on the last night of the ceremony?

3. Castaneda is profoundly distressed for hours, a common occurrence among those who lack _____________.

4. What pulls loose as Castaneda wipes his nose and his face?

5. What does Matus mix with the plant parts, just as his benefactor had him do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Matus tell Castaneda the next day after Castaneda has fallen asleep during the smoking?

2. Describe how Castaneda feels after smoking the mixture in Matus' pipe.

3. When he is called with "Hey boy!" why doesn't Castaneda come into Matus' house?

4. Why must Castaneda blink many times during his recollection of being a crow?

5. Describe the details of Castaneda's final encounter with Mescalito.

6. What does Matus have to say about the smoke mixture that Castaneda is preparing on his own now?

7. What ingredient is missing from the recipe that Matus learned from his benefactor?

8. What are some things Matus tells Castaneda he can do to get his soul back?

9. What convinces Matus that the weed likes Castaneda?

10. Describe what happens to Castaneda on the first night of his peyote ceremony.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the story, Castaneda is slowly led to the answers he is looking for, through the careful instruction by Matus. At times, the lessons are quite difficult and at other times, they can seem like common sense.

Part 1: Describe the process in which Castaneda has to collect the ingredients to make his own smoke.

Part 2: Why is it important for Castaneda to learn this long and drawn out process?

Part 3: Why do you think the process of learning about smoke mixture creation is so long and detailed?

Essay Topic 2

The idea of the 'man of knowledge' is one that Matus and Castaneda often repeat during this book's pages.

Part 1: Who or what is the 'man of knowledge?'

Part 2: Why is this 'man of knowledge' so important in the book?

Part 3: Is Castaneda striving to become a man of knowledge? Why or why not? Is Matus already a man of knowledge? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The idea of having good intentions is something that factors into each session Matus and Castaneda share.

Part 1: Compare the intentions for Matus and Castaneda for at least two sessions they share.

Part 2: Why is it important to have a strong intention for the work the two men are sharing?

Part 3: What do you think might have happened if Castaneda did not have a strong intention for the work he does?

(see the answer keys)

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