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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 woman caller is tired of hearing ___________.

2. Richard says that he doesn't care if he loses part of his audience because he knows ______ and talks what he talks.

3. When a woman calls in, she points out some must __________, earning their bread by the sweat of their brow.

4. Richard is told that he must _________ his own documents.

5. What instrument is actually playing the song that Richard hears in the hardware store?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the host of the Jeff Sykes Talk Show suggest about gypsy piloting?

2. What does Richard continue to do, though the outcome never changes?

3. How does Shimoda respond when the talk show host infers the idea that gypsy piloting is illegal?

4. Why is the song from Richard's boyhood such a strange occurrence?

5. What is the question Richard then formulates when he begins to do the thing which is the answer to #33?

6. What does Shimoda think is a great way to run the universe?

7. What is a thought form used for, according to Shimoda?

8. What is the concise answer Richard gives to Shimoda's question from #45?

9. What does Richard ask Shimoda as they are eating at a cafe in Ryerson, Ohio?

10. How does Richard respond to Shimoda's warning that he will lose 90% of his audience if he is not short?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The idea of a Messiah being able to quit is a unique idea in the eyes of most readers.

Part 1: How is the term Messiah defined in this story?

Part 2: Why does Shimoda want to quit his position as a Messiah?

Part 3: How does Shimoda end up quitting his role as the Master or Messiah?

Essay Topic 2

Although he used to be a Messiah, Shimoda seems to have troubles controlling his patience. This seems to be in conflict with what he can do for Richard.

Part 1: Describe one instance in which Shimoda becomes impatient with Richard.

Part 2: What might be the reason for Shimoda becoming so impatient with Richard?

Part 3: How does Shimoda's impatience help Richard's progress? How does it hurt Richard's progress?

Essay Topic 3

The two main characters in this story - Richard and Shimoda - are the central focus of the story, even though this is a story about the idea of illusions.

Part 1: Describe the character of Richard at the start of the story.

Part 2: Describe the character of Shimoda.

Part 3: How do each of the characters change during the course of the story?

(see the answer keys)

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