The Alchemist - Book Report

Dear students,

Your final assignment is to write a short book report on the the title you have just read, 'The Alchemist'.

Please don't worry if this is your first time writing one, as you will probably discover that it is not as difficult as you think. However, if you have any problems or are not sure about any of the questions, please come and see me or contact me through the blog. I will be more than happy to answer any questions you might have.

There are no exact guidelines as to how much you should write. Just be sure to answer each question fully and to the best of your ability.

You may review the book's content at:

http://www.ramblinggypsy.com/

Follow the link below to download the book report template.

http://www.education-world.com/tools_templates/bookreport_fiction.doc

The due date for this assignment is Friday 6th November 2009.

Good luck!

The Alchemist - Vocabulary Quiz 2 of 3

Please learn the following words in preparation for the quiz on Friday 2nd October.

1. mumble
2. grouch
3. rueful
4. immense
5. curse
6. incessant
7. conspire
8. convince
9. vain
10. divination
11. coincidence
12. capricious
13. murmur
14. bugle
15. nostalgia
16. intuition
17. balk
18. burden
19. freight
20. treacherous
21. detour
22. nocturnal
23. fringe
24. collaborate
25. manifestation
26. mania
27. incredulous
28. obscure
29. groan
30. content

Good luck!

The Alchemist

In the story that the King of Salem tells Santiago, the wisest of the wise men tells the boy that the secret of happiness is to see all the marvels of the world, and never to forget the drops of oil on the spoon. p32 to p34.

What does the wise man mean?

What do you think is the secret to happiness?

The deadline for comments on this assignment is Friday 18th Sept.

Happy blogging!

Mr. Lee

The Alchemist - Vocabulary Quiz 1

Please learn the following words and phrases in preparation for the quiz on Monday 14th September and continued reading of The Alchemist.


1. resist
2. abased
3. wander
4. fidget
5. be/become accustomed to
6. infidels
7. depend on
8. retaliate
9. whet one's appetite
10. lamenting
11. signify
12. weep
13. marvel
14. assemble
15. converse
16. perceive
17. descend
18. profound
19. gesture
20. tense


Good luck!

Mr. Lee

The Alchemist

Dear students,

King Mechizedek tells the boy that when we are children," everything is clear and everything is possible," but as time passes mysterious forces convince us to abandon our dreams" (p. 23).

Do you think this is true?

What are the "mysterious forces" that threaten to hold us back as we grow older?

Please discuss these points with your classmates on the blog.

Mr. Lee

The Alchemist

Dear students,

You may read Paulo Coehlo's biography by clicking on the link below.

http://www.paulocoelho.com.br/engl/dow/Bio.pdf

The following link allows you to download pdf excerpts from many of Paulo Coehlo's titles. In fact, you can actually download the complete novel for many titles; Paulo Coehlo's first work "The pilgrimage" is one such example!

http://www.ramblinggypsy.com/

Enjoy!

Mr. Lee

40 Years of Silence

Dear Students,

Please follow the links below to find out further information about the film "40 Years of Silence".

http://www.40yearsofsilence.com
http://www.40yearsofsilence.com/page/links

Once on the website homepage, please pay particular attention to the menus titled "Film", "Forum", and "Press", where you will find numerous articles and letters of interest.

Happy Blogging,

Mr. Lee

Reminder

Dear Students,

I would just like to remind you that all novels that were lent out to you over the school holiday must be returned no later than Friday 31st July 2009.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Mr. Lee

A new update, let's see if it is last long enough before everyone gets bored of it