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. How long does an alchemist need to heat the metal to purify it?

2. Once all of the metal's properties are burned away, what is left?

3. What position within the tribe is Santiago awarded after the attack in Part 5?

4. Who is the powerful and intimidating stranger Santiago meets after he leaves the tribal chief?

5. What does the powerful and intimidating stranger in Part 5 demand of Santiago?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the vision which Santiago has at the end of Part 4?

2. What is the only way to stay happy according to the camel driver, who is a friend to Santiago?

3. What does the Alchemist say quests begin and end with?

4. How does the Englishman feel about Santiago's comments about learning the universal language?

5. What does Santiago tell his heart in Part 6?

6. Why does the Alchemist warn Santiago to be cautious when making his predictions?

7. In Part 6, what does Santiago promise his heart?

8. What is the Alchemist testing when Santiago encounters him after leaving the chieftain?

9. What does Santiago learn to accept as he is crossing the desert in Part 6?

10. What does the tribal chief assure Santiago that the tribe always does?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Decide which event in this novel was the most critical in your opinion. Support your judgment with specific details from the text.

Essay Topic 2

What do you think is the most ironic event of this novel? Use specific events from the text to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 3

The book has a subtitle, A Fable about Following Your Dreams. Do you believe this is an appropriate subtitle? Support your answer with your own personal opinion and details from the text.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 535 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample