The Alchemist - Pg 30-41 Quiz

1. What does the wise man mean when he says, "The secret of happiness is to see all the marvels of the world, and never to forget the drops of oil on the spoon"?

The boy should be more careful when he explores places.

IT's good to explore new places, but it's important not to forget what you already have.

THe happiest people are those people who have traveled all over the world, and have collected treasures from those places.

It's good for all people to travel, but they should never forget the sheep.

The wise man means that while it is beneficial to explore and experience the wonders of the world, it is equally important to appreciate and value the things that one already possesses. The drops of oil on the spoon symbolize the small, everyday joys and blessings that may be easily overlooked or taken for granted. Therefore, the secret to happiness lies in finding a balance between seeking new experiences and appreciating the present.

Explanation

The wise man means that while it is beneficial to explore and experience the wonders of the world, it is equally important to appreciate and value the things that one already possesses. The drops of oil on the spoon symbolize the small, everyday joys and blessings that may be easily overlooked or taken for granted. Therefore, the secret to happiness lies in finding a balance between seeking new experiences and appreciating the present.

2. What happens to the boy's new "friend"?

He is kidnapped by gypsies.

He disappears with the boy's money.

He uses the boy's money to buy a beautiful sword so he can protect the boy.

He tricks the boy and tries to sell him to a traveling merchant.

The correct answer is "He disappears with the boy's money." This means that the boy's new "friend" takes the money and leaves without any explanation or trace. This suggests that the "friend" was not genuine and had ulterior motives, betraying the boy's trust and stealing his money.

Explanation

The correct answer is "He disappears with the boy's money." This means that the boy's new "friend" takes the money and leaves without any explanation or trace. This suggests that the "friend" was not genuine and had ulterior motives, betraying the boy's trust and stealing his money.

3. Why was the boy so reassured by the stones that Melchizedek had given him?

They were proof that the old man was real, and so was his advice.

They were precious stones and could be sold to pay for food and shelter.

They helped him discover which caravan would be willing to take him to the pyramids.

The boy was reassured by the stones because they provided tangible evidence of the existence of Melchizedek, the old man. The stones served as a physical reminder of their encounter and validated the advice given by Melchizedek. The boy could hold the stones in his hand and see them as a symbol of the old man's wisdom and guidance. This reassured the boy that he was on the right path and gave him confidence in following Melchizedek's advice.

Explanation

The boy was reassured by the stones because they provided tangible evidence of the existence of Melchizedek, the old man. The stones served as a physical reminder of their encounter and validated the advice given by Melchizedek. The boy could hold the stones in his hand and see them as a symbol of the old man's wisdom and guidance. This reassured the boy that he was on the right path and gave him confidence in following Melchizedek's advice.

4. Even though he was far from home, the boy is happy because

He can still go home and become a shepherd again.

He has been farther than anyone he knows, and he know the world was bigger than what it seemed.

The merchant offered to let him work for him in order to earn the beautiful sword.

His friend returned, having bought two camels for them to go in search of the treasure.

The correct answer is "he has been farther than anyone he knows, and he knows the world was bigger than what it seemed." This answer suggests that the boy is happy because he has gained a broader perspective on the world and has realized that there is more to life than just his hometown. He has traveled far and experienced new things, which has expanded his understanding of the world. This newfound knowledge and awareness bring him happiness.

Explanation

The correct answer is "he has been farther than anyone he knows, and he knows the world was bigger than what it seemed." This answer suggests that the boy is happy because he has gained a broader perspective on the world and has realized that there is more to life than just his hometown. He has traveled far and experienced new things, which has expanded his understanding of the world. This newfound knowledge and awareness bring him happiness.

5. When the boy makes a choice, he decides that he is an adventurer looking for treasure rather than a poor victim of a thief. How might this lesson be best expressed?

Live and learn.

Tomorrow is another day.

Dream on.

Your future is what you make it.

This lesson can be best expressed by the statement "Your future is what you make it." It implies that the boy's decision to see himself as an adventurer looking for treasure instead of a victim of a thief reflects his determination to shape his own destiny. It emphasizes the idea that one's choices and actions have a significant impact on their future outcomes.

Explanation

This lesson can be best expressed by the statement "Your future is what you make it." It implies that the boy's decision to see himself as an adventurer looking for treasure instead of a victim of a thief reflects his determination to shape his own destiny. It emphasizes the idea that one's choices and actions have a significant impact on their future outcomes.

6. As Melchizedek watches the ship sail away with the boy on board, he feels the levanter blowing in his face. The boy also encounters the levanter earlier in the story. What might the levanter represent? (Select all that apply.)

Change

Decisions

Adventure

Pride

Loss

Death or danger

The levanter in the story could represent change because it is a strong wind that brings about a shift in the atmosphere. It could also represent decisions because the characters, including Melchizedek and the boy, are faced with choices and have to make decisions throughout the story. Additionally, the levanter could symbolize adventure as it brings a sense of excitement and new experiences.

Explanation

The levanter in the story could represent change because it is a strong wind that brings about a shift in the atmosphere. It could also represent decisions because the characters, including Melchizedek and the boy, are faced with choices and have to make decisions throughout the story. Additionally, the levanter could symbolize adventure as it brings a sense of excitement and new experiences.

Submit

7. Which of the following things happened in the story that Melchizedek tells the boy (about the boy who visited the wise man)? (Select all that apply.)

The boy gets to speak to the wise man immediately.

The boy spills all the oil while exploring the palace.

The first time the boy explored the palace, he saw the gardener and the parchments in the library.

The wise man says not to trust a man who doesn't know his house.

Even though he failed at the task set by the wise man, the boy still learns the secret of happiness.

In the story that Melchizedek tells the boy, the boy spills all the oil while exploring the palace. This is mentioned as one of the things that happened. Additionally, the wise man says not to trust a man who doesn't know his house, which is also mentioned in the story. Lastly, even though the boy failed at the task set by the wise man, he still learns the secret of happiness. These events are all part of the story that Melchizedek tells the boy.

Explanation

In the story that Melchizedek tells the boy, the boy spills all the oil while exploring the palace. This is mentioned as one of the things that happened. Additionally, the wise man says not to trust a man who doesn't know his house, which is also mentioned in the story. Lastly, even though the boy failed at the task set by the wise man, he still learns the secret of happiness. These events are all part of the story that Melchizedek tells the boy.

Submit