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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 mix with the plant parts, just as his benefactor had him do?

2. Matus dismisses Castaneda's idea that he has reached a ____________.

3. Castaneda must remember the order in which he stacks the _____ as this will have to be repeated going forward.

4. ___________ at wake up time convinces Matus that the weed likes Castaneda.

5. What do the two men eat in preparation for their ceremony?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Matus urge Castaneda to do before smoking again?

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

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

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

7. What convinces Matus that the weed likes Castaneda?

8. What does Castaneda recall after already spending 90 minutes looking for lizards?

9. What happens as Castaneda sings his song to Mescalito during the peyote ceremony?

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

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

In the world around them, Matus and Castaneda become aware of signs and signals that tell them whether or not they are on the right path.

Part 1: Cite three examples of signs Matus and Castaneda see in the world around them. What do they mean?

Part 2: Why do you think Matus trusts nature so much to tell him what he needs to know?

Part 3: In what ways do people today look to nature to help them make decisions about their lives?

Essay Topic 3

The sewing of the lizards is a harsh scene in the book.

Part 1: Describe the sewing of the lizards and why this is done in the story.

Part 2: Wouldn't this harming of the animals be hurting nature and somehow not being grateful to it? Isn't this in direct opposition to the way Matus treats the rest of the gifts of nature?

Part 3: What was your reaction to the images of the lizards? Did you believe this to actually have happened?

(see the answer keys)

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