View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the payment Santiago expects for completing his first job on his journey?

2. Why does the Englishman say the alchemist is able to live so long?

3. What does Santiago do immediately after leaving the individual who performed a service for him in Part 1?

4. What is Santiago looking for in his dream that he never finds?

5. According to Part 1, what does Santiago believe will keep life interesting?

Short Essay Questions

1. At the beginning of the book, how long has it been since Santiago saw the merchant's daughter?

2. How much money has Santiago earned by the time he is ready to leave the crystal merchant's shop?

3. What does the old man advise Santiago to follow?

4. How does Santiago spend his time before he falls asleep on the old abandoned church floor?

5. What does Santiago see in his father's eyes?

6. Why did Santiago's parents send him to study at the seminary?

7. What does Santiago reflect upon in Part 1 regarding to the sheep?

8. After Santiago gives one-tenth of his sheep to the old man, what happens to the remainder of his flock?

9. What does the principle of favorability create according to the old man?

10. Why is Santiago disappointed in the gypsy's reading?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Santiago describes his love for Fatima as true love. Write about what you believe to be the characteristics of true love and use examples from the text to support or defy Fatima and Santiago's love as true love.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay describing in detail how the concept of full circle applies to this novel. Use specific examples from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

If you were Santiago, what steps would you have taken differently and why? If you believe you would have followed the exact path of Santiago, describe in detail why you would make those same choices faced with the same struggles.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 635 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample