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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. When Richard asks if Shimoda's death had to happen, what does Shimoda have to say?

2. There is nothing wrong with being ____________, says Richard, but most people like to know why they are doing something.

3. Richard is annoyed about never receiving ___________ from Shimoda.

4. The question that a person does have to ask is, "Is this what I really want __________?"

5. What is revealed in the shadow? What might this character be called?

Short Essay Questions

1. When does Shimoda confess to feeling lonely in his life?

2. What causes Richard to threaten violence to the vision Shimoda shows to Richard?

3. What is Richard doing when he overhears his boyhood favorite song, Greensleeves?

4. What does Richard find difficult about the idea of knowing that he knows everything?

5. What does the woman caller say about the idea of "doing what you want?"

6. What does Shimoda answer when Richard declares being a Master to be frustrating as hell?

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

8. Why does Richard dream about airplanes when he is sleeping?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Shimoda tries to test Richard's thinking to see how far along he has advanced in his training to become a Master.

Part 1: What is the question Richard is asked when Shimoda tests him in Chapter 15?

Part 2: What is the long-winded response that Richard gives in response to Shimoda's question?

Part 3: What is the more condensed answer Richard gives?

Essay Topic 2

Shimoda seems to make things look too easy, frustrating Richard a number of times during the story.

Part 1: What are some of the things Shimoda does that appear to be too easy?

Part 2: How does Richard react to the times when Shimoda does things so effortlessly?

Part 3: What does it say about the idea of a Messiah that they can do things easily? Is it just because they're better people or is there another reason?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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