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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. Matus says that since _______ tests Castaneda all the time, it is only fair to test her again too.

2. Matus does not want a description of Castaneda's experience because he has not traveled anywhere or ______________.

3. Castaneda rates his night with the weed as truly _________.

4. The smoke, says Matus, deals in ________ while the weed flatters and makes one feel good.

5. The worlds of ______ and men overlap, but a crack opens and closes between them.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why must the mixture previously collected and entrusted to Castaneda be used as soon as possible?

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

3. What do Matus and Castaneda do with the gray jelly while the second portion is prepared?

4. Why doesn't Matus need to smoke much anymore, though he still makes a new mixture each year?

5. Where does Castaneda wake up during his last night of smoking the mixture?

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

7. What does Castaneda do when he realizes the figure walking out of the house is not his mentor?

8. Why does Matus laugh at Castaneda as he tries to meet with his ally again?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The knowledge Castaneda gains is certainly stunning when one looks at the final summary of Castaneda's experiences.

Part 1: What are three of the points Castaneda makes in the final section of the book?

Part 2: Does this knowledge come from the plants directly or from Castaneda's subconscious? Why do you answer the way you do?

Part 3: Do you think Castaneda would have learned more if he has studied with Matus more frequently? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

To some, the actions in this story might seem to be based on superstition instead of on actual fact and truth.

Part 1: List at least three actions taken in this story that seem to be based on superstition.

Part 2: Do you think the warnings that go along with these actions are based on truth? Would something bad happen if the warnings were not heeded? Why or why not?

Part 3: Explain the reasons for using such warnings with a student in this plant medicine.

Essay Topic 3

There is a lot of ritual and ceremony in this book, often to encourage the spirits of the plants to work with Castaneda or with Matus.

Part 1: Define the idea of ritual and of ceremony as it is seen in this book.

Part 2: Why is it important that the men attach a ritual or a ceremony to the work they do?

Part 3: What might happen without the addition of ritual or of ceremony? Does it not matter if these aspects are included or not?

(see the answer keys)

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