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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. What final decision does Santiago make about the Alchemist's proposal?

2. How many days pass on their traveling together before Santiago asks the Alchemist about teaching?

3. What does the Alchemist advise Santiago to listen to in order to immerse himself in the desert?

4. What does Santiago do while the Englishman tries to observe the desert and learn its language?

5. What does the Alchemist say quests always end with?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What brave step does Santiago take at the beginning of Part 5?

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

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

5. Santiago realizes that both he and the Englishman are seeking their destinies. How does their process differ?

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

7. What conclusion does Santiago make about all of the information he reads in the Englishman's books?

8. What does it mean when Santiago tells the Englishman that all the teachings in his books could be "written on the surface of an emerald?"

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

10. In Part 5, why does Santiago resist the idea of continuing his journey to the pyramids?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

As Santiago embarked on his trip with the caravan, the leader told him that disobedience often means death in the desert. Explain what he means by this statement. Provide examples to support your hypothesis; they do not need to be from the text, but certainly can be from it.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the evolution of Santiago from the beginning of this story to the end. Use information and examples from the text to support your description.

(see the answer keys)

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