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

2. Why does Castaneda feel embarrassed on the second night of the peyote ceremony?

3. Only by ___________ can Castaneda appreciate smoke's importance as an ally to him.

4. _________ is not moody or petty, so the order of collection is unimportant, but the mixture must be exact.

5. What kind of animal has Castaneda's head turned into?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What does Castaneda see when he wakes up beside his plant?

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

7. What does Castaneda hide from after he consumes one more button after talking with Mescalito?

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

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

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

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 role of Matus in the story is part teacher, part benefactor, and part mystery. He knows much and teaches much, but says little and explains even less.

Part 1: Describe the character of Matus and what makes him a good teacher and medicine man, in your opinion.

Part 2: Why does Matus teach others the secrets he has learned from his benefactor?

Part 3: What do you think Matus gains from teaching others in this story?

Essay Topic 3

A skeptic might have troubles believing the events which take place in this book, according to Castaneda's notes.

Part 1: Describe one peyote experience of Castaneda's.

Part 2: Do you think these events Castaneda documented actually happened? Why or why not?

Part 3: In what ways do you think Castaneda could have made his descriptions more convincing? Or is what he wrote enough?

(see the answer keys)

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