This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Whose death is sought after to avenge Pavli's death?
(a) Anagnosti.
(b) Madame Hortense.
(c) Mimiko.
(d) The widow.

2. What startles the narrator from his sleep at the monastery?
(a) A gun shot.
(b) A loud argument.
(c) A woman's screams.
(d) Singing.

3. What does the narrator inherit from Zorba?
(a) All of Zorba's belongings.
(b) The santuri.
(c) A green stone.
(d) All of Hortense's belongings.

4. What does the narrator tell Zorba that they will one day build?
(a) The monastery of free men.
(b) A house near the mine.
(c) A statue of Buddha.
(d) A new cable rail system.

5. For what action does Zorba grow proud of the narrator?
(a) The narrator strikes a huge load of lignite.
(b) The narrator finally pursues the widow.
(c) The narrator decides to join the army.
(d) The narrator stands up to the villagers about their sinful ways.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Zorba ask the narrator to explain to him in Chapter 24?

2. After sleeping with the widow, what does the narrator realize?

3. When the narrator meets an old man on the trail, where does the man ask if he's headed?

4. What does Zorba suggest the narrator will need to become completely free?

5. What gift does Mimiko deliver from the accused in Pavli's death?

Short Essay Questions

1. As the narrator watches Zorba comfort Madame Hortense on her death bed with the others eagerly awaiting her death, what does he compare the scene to?

2. What is the irony of Zorba comparing himself to Zeus in Chapter 19?

3. How did Zaharia appear when he was found dead?

4. Why do you think the narrator's good friend, the soldier, is not named until his death?

5. How are Zorba's final moments described?

6. What story does Zorba tell in Chapter 20 that supports the theme that appearance creates reality?

7. When writing letters to Madame Hortense, what does the narrator have to do?

8. What does the narrator state is the reason for Zaharia's death?

9. In Chapter 16, what did the sleeping workmen do who when they heard Zorba playing his Santuri?

10. What does the narrator succeed in doing in Chapter 21 that Zorba could not?

Multiple Choice Answer Key

Short Answer Key

1. What does Zorba ask the narrator to explain to him in Chapter 24?

Death and why people die.

2. After sleeping with the widow, what does the narrator realize?

"The soul is flesh as well."

3. When the narrator meets an old man on the trail, where does the man ask if he's headed?

The convent.

4. What does Zorba suggest the narrator will need to become completely free?

Folly.

5. What gift does Mimiko deliver from the accused in Pavli's death?

A basket of oranges.

Short Essay Answer Key

1. As the narrator watches Zorba comfort Madame Hortense on her death bed with the others eagerly awaiting her death, what does he compare the scene to?

The narrator first compares the scene to a huge exotic bird with a broken wing that has fallen and is dying on the beach, with all of the villagers standing around watching for entertainment. Then he compares Madame Hortense to other animals as well, like an "old angora cat" and "a sick old seal."

2. What is the irony of Zorba comparing himself to Zeus in Chapter 19?

Zorba says that he is like Zeus in that he sacrifices his own self in order to bring women happiness. This is ironic because Zeus is traditionally considered to be lecherous towards women.

3. How did Zaharia appear when he was found dead?

He was found shaven bald and pierced with the spear of the Holy Virgin of Revenge.

4. Why do you think the narrator's good friend, the soldier, is not named until his death?

It may be to emphasize the theme of the importance of human interaction and companionship. Just as the narrator is gaining the realization that human connection is essential, his friend dies and his friend's name is revealed. His friend has also fulfilled his passion, which was to serve his country. His name is then symbolically mythologized when it appears in the story.

5. How are Zorba's final moments described?

Zorba dies howling and laughing like an animal.

6. What story does Zorba tell in Chapter 20 that supports the theme that appearance creates reality?

Zorba tells a story in which his grandfather takes a piece of wood, calls it part of the True Cross, and declares that it will protect the soldier to whom he gifts it from all harm in battle. The soldier then becomes a brave and invincible warrior simply because he believes that he has nothing to fear.

7. When writing letters to Madame Hortense, what does the narrator have to do?

The narrator must pretend he is Zorba. Therefore, he must take on Zorba's characteristics in his writings while looking for the best in Madame Hortense.

8. What does the narrator state is the reason for Zaharia's death?

The narrator says that Zaharia has fulfilled his main passion and purpose and has therefore accomplished everything that life would ask of him, so he can die.

9. In Chapter 16, what did the sleeping workmen do who when they heard Zorba playing his Santuri?

They got up, circled around him and began dancing to the music he played.

10. What does the narrator succeed in doing in Chapter 21 that Zorba could not?

The narrator recognizes that Madame Hortense is seriously ill and takes care of her both mentally and physically. He mentally encourages her by reminding her of her wedding while physically bringing a doctor to attend to her. He uses Zorba's romantic speech tricks while conscientiously attending to her health as well. Zorba, on the other hand, is a successful romantic but not a responsible partner.