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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the narrator's topic of conversation with the Mother Superior?
(a) The Martyred Virgin.
(b) The cross.
(c) Blood.
(d) Eternity.

2. From whom must Zorba and the narrator rent land for the timber rail project?
(a) Anagnosti.
(b) Monks at the monastery.
(c) Madame Hortense.
(d) The governor of Crete.

3. What happens when the fourth log is tested on the rail system?
(a) The system cracks and the log gets jammed.
(b) The entire system collapses.
(c) The system is still shaky, but the log reaches its destination.
(d) The operations appear to have been repaired to perfection.

4. What good omen marks the narrator and Zorba's morning on the day work is to begin on the railway?
(a) Candles that Madame Hortense has lit.
(b) White flowers blooming outside their window.
(c) A light breeze sweeping the fog away.
(d) Children singing in the streets.

5. Who do Zorba and the narrator meet as they climb the mountain?
(a) Zaharia.
(b) Pavli's ghost.
(c) Demetrios.
(d) A patron saint.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which character reveals that he had a son who died at the age of three?

2. Who does Zaharia say inspired his mission?

3. What language does Zorba teach the narrator in chapter 25?

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

5. What message does the narrator tell Madame Hortense that Zorba has sent from Candia?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the monastery bishop's first theory on religion.

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

3. Why does Zaharia say he became a monk?

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

5. What two major shifts happen to the narrator in Chapter 21? What major realization do these shifts spur in the narrator.

6. What does Zorba say about the act of crying when Madame Hortense dies?

7. Why does Anagnosti say that Pavli is blessed?

8. How are Zorba's final moments described?

9. 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?

10. What does Madame Hortense actually think of Zorba?

Multiple Choice Answer Key

Short Answer Key

1. Which character reveals that he had a son who died at the age of three?

Zorba.

2. Who does Zaharia say inspired his mission?

Archangel Michael.

3. What language does Zorba teach the narrator in chapter 25?

Dance.

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

A basket of oranges.

5. What message does the narrator tell Madame Hortense that Zorba has sent from Candia?

He tells her that Zorba has proposed marriage to her.

Short Essay Answer Key

1. Describe the monastery bishop's first theory on religion.

He believes that the shape of a flower influences its color and its color then has an influence on its properties which in turn produce a specific effect on humans. He summarizes this theory with the belief that men should be careful when walking through fields of flowers because of the peculiar effects the flowers are having on them.

2. 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.

3. Why does Zaharia say he became a monk?

He says poverty led him to become a monk. He was hungry and knew that if he went into the monastery there would be no way he could starve.

4. 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.

5. What two major shifts happen to the narrator in Chapter 21? What major realization do these shifts spur in the narrator.

The narrator finally sleeps with the widow, which Zorba has been encouraging him to do for some time. The narrator also finishes the Buddha Manuscript and with it, has the realization that he has exorcised the Buddha from himself. These two shifts make it clear to the narrator that "the soul is flesh as well," or in other words the actions of his body are just as important and spiritual as the meditating and thinking to which he is accustomed.

6. What does Zorba say about the act of crying when Madame Hortense dies?

He says that he isn't ashamed to cry in front of men because of the unity they share. He says that crying in front of women is different because it is a man's job to prove his courage when before women.

7. Why does Anagnosti say that Pavli is blessed?

Pavli commits suicide by drowning, and Anagnosti says that he is blessed because he is free from the object of his desire, the widow. Anagnosti claims that Pavli could not have lived happily with or without her because he had so much passion for her but now he is at peace.

8. How are Zorba's final moments described?

Zorba dies howling and laughing like an animal.

9. 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."

10. What does Madame Hortense actually think of Zorba?

Madame Hortense thinks Zorba will make a useful husband but does not think much of him above and beyond that role. She wishes also that he were as exciting and accomplished as her former lovers.