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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Zorba compare to Hortense's former lovers in her eyes?
(a) He is not as exotic.
(b) He is not as handsome.
(c) He is not as good a conversationalist.
(d) He is less sexually satisfying.

2. What happens when the first log is tested on the new railway?
(a) The whole structure shakes and the log is destroyed along the way.
(b) It rail system works well but is in need of a few minor adjustments.
(c) The structure is sound, and the log reaches its destination.
(d) The structure shakes unsteadily, but the log makes it all the way.

3. In Chapter 15, what does the narrator momentarily believe is his last obstacle to freedom?
(a) Mining.
(b) The widow.
(c) Buddha.
(d) Zorba.

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

5. When he arrives in Candia, what news does the narrator receive?
(a) His family is being held hostage.
(b) A new revolution has begun.
(c) The widow was pregnant with his child when she died.
(d) His friend Stavridaki has died.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What do the narrator and Zorba do on Easter Sunday?

3. For what action does Zorba grow proud of the narrator?

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

5. What is the statue of Our Lady of Revenge notorious for?

Short Essay Questions

1. How are Zorba's final moments described?

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

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

4. Describe the actions that follow after the widow enters the church at the Easter celebration.

5. Why does Zaharia say he became a monk?

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

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

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

9. In his third theory of religion, what does the bishop give as God's reason for sending religion to the masses?

10. What does Madame Hortense actually think of Zorba?

Multiple Choice Answer Key

Short Answer Key

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

A basket of oranges.

2. What do the narrator and Zorba do on Easter Sunday?

Make a feast for Madame Hortense.

3. For what action does Zorba grow proud of the narrator?

The narrator finally pursues the widow.

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

Dance.

5. What is the statue of Our Lady of Revenge notorious for?

Killing an Algerian army.

Short Essay Answer Key

1. How are Zorba's final moments described?

Zorba dies howling and laughing like an animal.

2. 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.

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. Describe the actions that follow after the widow enters the church at the Easter celebration.

Because the villagers blame the widow for Pavli's death, Manolakas leads a mob to the church when they discover that she is there. When she walks out of the church, the mob surrounds her and Mavrandoni blocks the door to keep her from going back in. The mob begins to throw stones at her, and several pull knives as well. Mavrandoni says it is his right to declare judgment and orders her to be killed. The narrator attempts to save her but trips on a rock. Zorba arrives and also attempts to save her. Momentarily, he does as he wrestles Manolakas away from her, but ultimately Mavrandoni cuts her head off.

5. 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.

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. 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.

8. 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.

9. In his third theory of religion, what does the bishop give as God's reason for sending religion to the masses?

He says that God sent religion as an act of mercy for the masses in order that they might experience living in "eternity." The bishop believes that only a few people on earth are able to live an eternity during their natural lives on earth.

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.