NAME: ________________________________________ DATE: __________________ PD.: ____
The Alchemist
Study Guide/TEXTUAL EVIDENCE
DIRECTIONS:
Using the space provided, answer each of the following questions in complete sentences. You MUST use text evidence to prove
your answer! Include the page number in parentheses.
Prologue to Pg. 21
1. What apears to be the THEME, or main message, of the Prologue?
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2. The novel opens with the main character thinking about his sheep. What does he
observe about their existence, and what does the author seem to be saying about the
way some people choose to live their lives? (DETAILS/INFER)
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3. Describe Santiago’s dream. What does the old fortune teller tell him it means?
(RECALL/DETAILS)
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NAME: ________________________________________ DATE: __________________ PD.: ____
Pg. 21 to Pg. 47 (end of Part I)
4. The old man tells Santiago the story about the minor and the emerald on page 24. How
does this connect with Santiago’s situation? Explain. (APPLY)
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5. Review page 27. What does Santiago realize about the wind and how does this help him
on his journey? (APPLY)
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6. What point does the old man’s story about the boy in the castle and the drops of oil (pgs.
30-32) make? How might this story apply to our modern lives? Explain. (APPLY)
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NAME: ________________________________________ DATE: __________________ PD.: ____
Pg. 51 to Pg. 71
7. What lessons does Santiago learn by working at the crystal shop? Specify by referring to
at least two examples from this scene’s details. (KEY IDEAS/DETAILS)
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8. The crystal merchant introduced Santiago to the Arabic phrase, “Maktub,” or ‘it is written,’
which is then mentioned at several important moments in the story. Why do you think the
merchant speaks this word when he and Santiago part ways? Review this scene and
clarify.
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9. The Englishman and his goals are described on pgs. 65-70. Explain what he already
knows, but what he is still looking for.
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NAME: ________________________________________ DATE: __________________ PD.: ____
Pg. 71 to Pg. 104
10. How does Santiago feel when he meets Fatima and how does this represent the
Language of the World? Explain using details from the selection. (DETAILS/CLARIFY)
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11. What vision does Ssantiago have when he witnesses the hawks in the desert? What
ocnclusion does he draw from this vision? (CLARIFY/DRAWING CONCLUSIONS)
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Pg. 104 to Pg. 127
12. The alchemist persuades Santiago to sell his camel and buy a horse. The next night he
takes him into the desert and gives him a second test. What is the task and what skills
are being tested in this task? (SUMMARIZE)
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NAME: ________________________________________ DATE: __________________ PD.: ____
13. At one point, the alchemist says: ‘There is onlhy one way to learn. It’s through action.
Everything you need to know you have learned through your journey’ (125). What are
some of the things Santiago has learned through action? Provide at least TWO, clear
examples, using details from the text. (DRAW CONCLUSIONS)
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Pg. 127 to Pg. 153
14. According to the alchemist, every serach starts with Beginner’s Luck. How does every
search end, and what do you think this foreshadows for Santiago? (PREDICT)
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15. Santiago explains to the sun why alchemy exists and what alchemists do. What does he
say? Summarize this portion of the text. (PARAPHRASE/SUMMARIZE)
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NAME: ________________________________________ DATE: __________________ PD.: ____
Pg. 153 to Pg. 167
16. Why do you think the alchemist tells Santiago the story about the main’s dream about the
two sons (the poet and the soldier, pg. 156)? (JUSTIFY)
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17. Once the boy goes through the dangers of the tribal wars in order to reach the pyramids,
he then remembers the old proverb: “The darkest hour of the night came just before the
dawn.” How does this apply to his situation at this point in the story? (APPLY)
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18. Why is it significant to the story that Santiago’s treasure is NOT buried at the pyramids
but back in Spain ath te abandoned church where his journey began. Explain the
significance of the author’s choice to circularly develop this story. (INFER)
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NAME: ________________________________________ DATE: __________________ PD.: ____
19. What does Siddhartha claim to be the most important thing in the world? How does this
contrast with Gotama’s views? (COMPARE/CONTRAST)
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20. Explain your experience in reading this novel. From an academic standpoint, what did
you find fulfilling about its content/theme? What did you find challenging? Take time to
explain. (JUDGMENT)
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