The Alchemist

Question 1

Why does Santiago believe Melchizedek?

Answer 1

he knows things about Santiago he has never told anyone

Question 2

What are Urim and Thummim?

Answer 2

stones that represent “yes” and “no” to help understand omens

Question 3

In Africa, Santiago began work as _________.

Answer 3

a crystal merchant’s assisstant

Question 4

Maktuh means

Answer 4

“it is written” or “destiny”

Question 5

The Englishman hopes to become __________.

Answer 5

an alchemist

Question 6

Who is Fatima?

Answer 6

the desert woman Santiago falls in love with

Question 7

Levanter, sirocco, and simum are names for different ________.

Answer 7

winds

Question 8

The Prologue re-tells a fable about __________.

Answer 8

Narcissus

Question 9

Four obstacles stand in the way of a person who tries to live his or her dream. They are _____.

Answer 9

discouragement, love, fear of the unknown, and fear of realizing your dream

Question 10

The author is a citizen of what country?

Answer 10

Brazil

Question 11

Why is Santiago’s dream strange?

Answer 11

it is recurring and very mysterious

Question 12

When Santiago consults a Gypsy woman about his dream, what does she say he must pay?

Answer 12

1/10 of his treasure to her

Question 13

According to the author, sheep are a metaphor for ________.

Answer 13

sheep sit around and do nothing and worry about simple things instead of following their personal legends

Question 14

What job did Santiago’s parents hope he would have when he was an adult?

Answer 14

a priest

Question 15

What is the world’s greatest lie?

Answer 15

at a certain point we lose control and life is taken over by fate

Question 16

Why are there religious references in the novel?

Answer 16

to make santiago’s journey more a religious quest

Question 17

Melchizedek explains the concept of the Personal Legend by saying that it is

Answer 17

what a person most desires to accomplish in life

Question 18

According to the old man, what must Santiago follow?

Answer 18

omens

Question 19

Spain is what religion? __________ Tangier is ___________.

Answer 19

• Catholic

- Muslim

Question 20

When Santiago completes his first year of working in Tangier, he makes the decision to do what?

Answer 20

go home (but he is really going to the pyramids)

Question 21

A leitmotif is a recurring theme throughout a musical or literary composition associated with a particular person, idea, or situation. Which character is frequently used as a leitmotif in the novel?

Answer 21

Malchezidec

Question 22

What are the qualities of alchemy?

Answer 22

inscribed on the emerald tablet
everything comes from one source
master work is a liquid and a solid

Question 23

Which group of people serve as guides / scouts in the desert?

Answer 23

Bedouins

Question 24

According to the Englishman, what are caravans like?

Answer 24

books

Question 25

What is the oasis?

Answer 25

a safe-town that is peaceful and hospitable to travellers

Question 26

Who (What?) is Al-Fayoum?

Answer 26

the oasis

Question 27

Santiago sees two hawks fighting, and he understands this as an omen for what?

Answer 27

the oasis is going to be attacked

Question 28

How does the alchemist arrive

Answer 28

on a white horse

Question 29

The alchemist says one must never let up on his quest. Santiago accepts this advice because___________.

Answer 29

it reminds him of the old king

Question 30

In the desert, Santiago turns himself into

Answer 30

the wind

Question 31

At the monastery, the alchemist distributed gold in what proportions?

Answer 31

1/4 for the monk 1/4 for the boy 1/4 for the alchemist 1/4 for if the boy's money is stolen again

Question 32

What fable tells the Secret of Happiness?

Answer 32

the merchant's son and the two drops of oil

Question 33

When Santiago saw the Pyramids, he does what?

Answer 33

drops to the ground and cries

Question 34

As Santiago digs for treasure, he is approached by whom?

Answer 34

strange Arab war refugees wanting money

Question 35

One of the robbers tells Santiago about a dream of treasure where?

Answer 35

in the fields of Spain near a church where shepherds live

Question 36

The treasure Santiago found was gold buried by whom?

Answer 36

spanish conquistadors?

Question 37

What does it mean when a woman is dressed in black in the oasis, a Muslim society?

Answer 37

she is married

Question 38

The “Language of the World” is defined as ________.

Answer 38

communications between souls that have no language barriers

Question 39

As a daughter of the desert, Fatima says that she knows how to do what?

Answer 39

wait

Question 40

Santiago’s vision of the two fighting hawks signifies what?

Answer 40

the oasis will be attacked; he is good at reading omens

Question 41

What test do the chieftains outline for Santiago?

Answer 41

if Santiago is right about the attack they will make him a council member but if he is wrong they will kill him

Question 42

After the battle, what advice does the alchemist give to Santiago?

Answer 42

sell your camel and buy a horse

Question 43

The Englishman can be classified as what kinds of character?

Answer 43

supporting character meant to represent book knowledge

Question 44

When the alchemist advises Santiago to listen to his heart, he is saying…

Answer 44

do not let yourself be afraid to follow your dreams

Question 45

Who does the alchemist tell the military camp leader is the true alchemist?

Answer 45

the boy

Question 46

The real alchemist says that Santiago is an alchemist to

Answer 46

the military camp leader

Question 47

Who does Santiago ask for help when he must become the wind, and in what order?

Answer 47

wind sun God

Question 48

What did the alchemist do at the Coptic monastery?

Answer 48

turn lead into gold

Question 49

The point of the alchemist’s story about the Roman emperor Tiberius is to…

Answer 49

everyone plays an important role in the web of history, whether they know it or not

Question 50

What omen does the boy see when he finally reaches the Pyramids?

Answer 50

a scarab beetle appears where he was crying

Question 51

Where does Santiago find his treasure?

Answer 51

at home in Spain

Question 52

why must he return to Tarifa?

Answer 52

Fatima!