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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When the narrator meets an old man on the trail, where does the man ask if he's headed?
(a) The pub.
(b) The garden.
(c) The convent.
(d) The river.

2. Who challenges Zorba to a knife fight near the widow's garden?
(a) Dimitri.
(b) Manolakas.
(c) Pavli's ghost.
(d) Mavrandoni.

3. How does Zorba feel about the narrator's false promises made while Zorba was in Candia?
(a) He is extremely sad but willing to follow through.
(b) He is angry but willing to follow through on the promise.
(c) He is thrilled.
(d) He is so angry that he ends their friendship.

4. What does Zorba invite his old boss to come and see in Chapter 26?
(a) His newborn son.
(b) A clay nun much like the one they saw years earlier.
(c) His collection of musical instruments.
(d) A beautiful green stone.

5. Who publicly defends the accused and attempts to break up the mob which seeks justice for Pavli's death?
(a) Anagnosti.
(b) Zorba.
(c) The narrator.
(d) Mimiko.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does the narrator feel like he can forget about the Enlightened One?

2. Who does Zorba claim was Hortense's greatest lover?

3. Who closes Hortense's eyes when she dies?

4. What does the narrator say about Hortense becoming a bride?

5. Who does Zaharia say inspired his mission?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Anagnosti say that Pavli is blessed?

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

3. 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?

4. After the widow's murder, what happens when Zorba and Manolakas meet near the widow's garden?

5. What does Zorba say about women when the narrator reveals that he has proposed to Madame Hortense on his behalf?

6. What evidence of artistic inspiration does the narrator find in the ruins of the old city? How does he feel when he sees it?

7. Describe what happened while Zorba was at war that changed his mind about judging a person based on nationality.

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

9. How does the narrator describe eternity in Chapter 15?

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

Multiple Choice Answer Key

Short Answer Key

1. Why does the narrator feel like he can forget about the Enlightened One?

He has finished his Buddha Manuscript.

2. Who does Zorba claim was Hortense's greatest lover?

Zorba.

3. Who closes Hortense's eyes when she dies?

Zorba.

4. What does the narrator say about Hortense becoming a bride?

It takes away from her allure as a widow.

5. Who does Zaharia say inspired his mission?

Archangel Michael.

Short Essay Answer Key

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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."

4. After the widow's murder, what happens when Zorba and Manolakas meet near the widow's garden?

Manolakas challenges Zorba to a knife fight after having been beaten previously. Zorba tells him he will fight without weapons. Then the narrator intervenes and talks them down from fighting at all. They end up all drinking together.

5. What does Zorba say about women when the narrator reveals that he has proposed to Madame Hortense on his behalf?

Zorba says that women are delicate creatures and are unable to handle such jokes.

6. What evidence of artistic inspiration does the narrator find in the ruins of the old city? How does he feel when he sees it?

The narrator finds a partially finished jar carved from stone and a chisel on the ground nearby. This fills him with bitterness as he realizes the artistic inspiration has been defeated.

7. Describe what happened while Zorba was at war that changed his mind about judging a person based on nationality.

While at war, Zorba murdered a Bulgarian priest who had been invading Greek villages and killing Greeks. Later, when Zorba sees the orphans of the priest, he realizes that nationality doesn't matter. Rather, "good" and "bad" are the only important classifications to consider.

8. 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.

9. How does the narrator describe eternity in Chapter 15?

He describes it as being each minute that passes.

10. 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.