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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who does Santiago say should get the head of the marlin?
(a) Himself.
(b) Pedrico.
(c) The boy.
(d) The alcalde.

2. What does the old man eat to get more strength after he washed his face and hands?
(a) A jellyfish.
(b) Some jerky he forgot he had in his pocket.
(c) The cleaned flying fish.
(d) The bad smelling dolphin.

3. Does Santiago think of the wind as his friend?
(a) No, because it is fickle.
(b) No, because it storms a lot in the Caribbean.
(c) Yes. Sometimes.
(d) Yes, because it is always there.

4. To what does Santiago compare his damaged hands while harpooning the shark?
(a) The teeth of the shark.
(b) Hitting a home run.
(c) Joe DiMaggio's bone spur.
(d) The pain of a sting ray's attack.

5. How many rows of teeth does the Mako shark have?
(a) Four.
(b) Two.
(c) Six.
(d) Eight.

6. Because Santiago always wakes the boy every morning, what does the boy call him?
(a) My alarm clock.
(b) My big problem.
(c) My tormentor.
(d) My morning visitor.

7. What does the old man fear since the shark had taken about forty pounds of flesh off the marlin?
(a) That people would think he had eaten part of his catch.
(b) That he would not win a prize for catching the largest marlin.
(c) That fishermen would say he found the marlin dead and floating in the water.
(d) That there would soon be other sharks.

8. What is Santiago's plan as the fist keeps circling?
(a) To let the boat turn around and around as the fish circles.
(b) To jump in to fight the fish.
(c) To let out the line.
(d) To give the fish less and less line.

9. Why does the old man wish to take Joe DiMaggio fishing?
(a) He wants to get free tickets to a Yankee game.
(b) He would like to talk about baseball while he fished.
(c) He thinks DiMaggio would be good at clubbing sharks to death.
(d) He heard that DiMaggio's father was a fisherman.

10. What is a favorite topic of conversation for Santiago and the boy?
(a) Baseball.
(b) Drinking beer.
(c) Travel.
(d) Spear fishing.

11. What simile does Hemingway use to show the boy's admiration for Santiago?
(a) He likens Santiago's fishing greatness to the greatest baseball managers.
(b) He compares Santiago to a giant shark.
(c) He calls Sanitiago his hero.
(d) He says that Santiago is like Joe DiMaggio.

12. What does Santiago think there are people who are paid to do?
(a) Understand the omens.
(b) Build bigger boats than his.
(c) Write books about fishing.
(d) Think about sin.

13. What is the first thing Santiago asks the boy to bring him when he finally wakes up?
(a) The head of the marlin.
(b) The newspapers for the days he was gone.
(c) A bowl of yellow rice and fish.
(d) Another cup of coffee with milk and sugar.

14. How does Santiago justify killing the shark?
(a) Saving other lives.
(b) Self-defense.
(c) Respect for the marlin.
(d) The reward money.

15. What does Santiago look for as he sails toward the land?
(a) Signs of land up ahead.
(b) Evidence of sharks in the water.
(c) Dangerous reefs he might wreck on.
(d) Sails or smoke from ships.

Short Answer Questions

1. What complaint does the boy have about the fisherman he works for after he is forced to leave Santiago?

2. What happens after the old man harpoons the fish?

3. Knowing what is coming as he approaches the island currents, what makeshift weapon does Santiago come up with?

4. What amusing thing does the old man say to the fish as the fish begins to come nearer the skiff?

5. How does Hemingway use Joe DiMaggio's injury to show Santiago's limited education?

(see the answer keys)

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