The Alchemist Quiz 1

The prologue of The Alchemist begins with a story about which famous mythical Greek character?

• Zeus

• Athena

• Melchizedek

• Narcissus

Where is the boy, Santiago, from?

• Andalusia

• Tarifa

• Egypt

• The Levant

Why does Santiago decide to become a shepherd instead of a priest?

• Santiago doesn't believe in God

• Shepherds get paid a lot more money than priests

• Santiago wants to travel, and shepherds travel

• Santiago got kicked out of the priesthood for daydreaming

What does King Melchizedek try to teach Santiago?

• About his fate as a shepherd

• About his Personal Legend

• How to be successful as a crystal merchant

• How to make sure he doesn't get robbed again

What quotation does King Melchizedek give for why many people never realize their personal legends?

• "Before it's all over, many people are unable to develop the will or the spirit to continue."

• "At some point, people get confused about themselves and begin to doubt. When that happens, their dreams slowly fade away."

• "In the end, many people simply just aren't patient enough to ever realize their personal legends."

• "In the long run, what people think about shepherds and bakers becomes more important for them than their own Personal Legends."

How does Santiago respond to being robbed shortly after he arrives in Africa?

• At first he is sad, but he changes his state of mind and decides to consider himself an adventurer, not a victim.

• He is sad until he decides he's going to find the thief and get his stuff back which cheers him up.

• The boy cries at night until the next day when a kind stranger wakes him up and gives him back the money he lost.

• He decides he will not go any further into Africa until he gets everything back.

Why doesn't the crystal merchant ever go to Mecca?

• There is no one else he can trust to run the shop while he takes the trip to Mecca.

• He doesn't have the money or the resources to go all the way to Mecca by himself.

• He is afraid that he will be disappointed after the trip and have nothing else to live for.

• He doesn't believe in a personal legend or an obligation to go anywhere

What Arabic phrase does Santiago learn from the crystal merchant?

• Maktub

• Principle of Favorability

• Urim and Thummim

• The fifth obligation

Why is the Englishman in search of the Alchemist?

• The Englishman believes the Alchemist can reveal to the Englishman where he can find his Personal Legend.

• He wants to increase his wealth by turning lead into gold.

• He wants to learn how to live forever with the Elixir of Life

• He wants to learn about the universal language - a language understood by everybody, but already forgotten.

What lesson does the camel driver teach Santiago?

• If you concentrate always on the present, you'll be a happy man.

• Always plan for the future in order to avoid trouble.

• Never forget the people that help you along the way.

• Always make sure to check behind you in the desert.