This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 21.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What supposedly happens to the Martyred Virgin once every year?
(a) It bleeds from a chiseled wound.
(b) It cries tears of blood.
(c) It draws a warring army.
(d) It causes storms.

2. What does the narrator remember his grandfather doing?
(a) He sailed around the world.
(b) He had many lovers.
(c) He started a mining business.
(d) He demanded stories from his guests.

3. What reason does the narrator give in his argument that Zorba should not pressure him to visit the widow?
(a) He doesn't want to hurt the widow's feelings.
(b) Acting impulsively is against his nature.
(c) Acting impulsively is his nature and he's trying to change.
(d) He needs to stay focused on his writing.

4. Why does Zorba refuse to sleep with Madame Hortense in Chapter 19?
(a) He believes God wants them to wait until marriage.
(b) He is ill.
(c) It is lent.
(d) He is unable to perform.

5. What exclamation does the first chapter conclude with?
(a) "Monks and Demons!"
(b) "God and the Devil!"
(c) "Jesus and Satan!"
(d) "Heaven and Hell!"

Short Answer Questions

1. In a letter to his friend, what does the narrator say his friend inspired him to do?

2. What is Zorba's response when the narrator asks him how many times he has been married?

3. What is the primary message in the book that the narrator is reading?

4. What happens to Gavrili in the night at the monastery?

5. From whom must Zorba and the narrator rent land for the timber rail project?

Multiple Choice Questions Key

Short Answer Questions Key

1. In a letter to his friend, what does the narrator say his friend inspired him to do?

Pursue a life of physical action.

2. What is Zorba's response when the narrator asks him how many times he has been married?

Once honestly and twice half-honestly.

3. What is the primary message in the book that the narrator is reading?

It emphasizes the virtue of possessing nothing.

4. What happens to Gavrili in the night at the monastery?

He is murdered by his lover.

5. From whom must Zorba and the narrator rent land for the timber rail project?

Monks at the monastery.