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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Knowing what is coming as he approaches the island currents, what makeshift weapon does Santiago come up with?
(a) Cutting off the marlin's spear to use as a harpoon.
(b) Making a noose out of the fishing line.
(c) Lashing his knife to the end of an oar.
(d) Carving one of the oars into a baseball bat.

2. When do the sharks return after Santiago loses his makeshift harpoon?
(a) Early the next morning.
(b) Just before sunset.
(c) Immediately after he ran them off the first time.
(d) Just after dark.

3. How does the old man think he could have made better preparation for eating the raw fish?
(a) Chopping it up into smaller pieces.
(b) Splashing sea water on the bow and letting it dry to get the salt.
(c) Soaking it in sea water before eating it.
(d) Cutting it up as soon as he caught it and letting it sun dry.

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

5. How do we know the old man sleeps for a very long time?
(a) The old man talks all day in his sleep.
(b) The boy has to re-heat the coffee.
(c) The boy keeps thinking the old man has died.
(d) It is the next morning before he wakes up.

6. How long does Santiago think he will be out to sea the morning he leaves to go far out?
(a) Only that morning.
(b) Three days.
(c) One day.
(d) Two days.

7. Thinking about what the marlin can see deep in the water, how does Santiago recall his own vision years ago?
(a) He remembers that horses are blind at night.
(b) He remembers he once had night vision like a cat.
(c) He recalls not ever seeing well after the sun went down.
(d) He recalls being able to see in total darkness.

8. Why does Santiago feel sorry for the terns?
(a) He thinks they are incredibly ugly.
(b) He thinks they are not fast enough and the fish will eat them.
(c) He thinks they will get lost over the sea.
(d) He thinks they are too delicate for the sea.

9. How does the old man know the winds will blow all night?
(a) From the curve of his sail.
(b) From the currents.
(c) From the clouds.
(d) From the seagulls.

10. Even though the boy can no longer fish with Santiago, how does he show his loyalty?
(a) He invites him to his parents' house for supper.
(b) He goes every day to help him unload his equipment.
(c) He gives Santiago a new sail for his boat.
(d) He helps Santiago repaint his boat.

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

12. What does the old man fear since the shark had taken about forty pounds of flesh off the marlin?
(a) That there would soon be other sharks.
(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 people would think he had eaten part of his catch.

13. What makes the flying fish jump out of the water and scatter feverishly?
(a) The man-of-war bird circling overhead.
(b) A shark.
(c) Dolphins.
(d) The rising sun.

14. What does the old man speculate he could use to buy good luck?
(a) A lost harpoon, a broken knife, and two bad hands.
(b) Another 84 days of bad luck.
(c) The glow of the city lights on the shore.
(d) The bones of the marlin.

15. What does Santiago believe are in the sea?
(a) Fish bigger than the marlin he caught.
(b) Friends and enemies.
(c) Sharks and seaweed.
(d) Mermaids and shells.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Santiago drink his morning coffee slowly?

2. What does the fisherman say about the marlin to the boy?

3. What does his cramped hand make Santiago think about the boy?

4. What contrast does Santiago think about that shows the hard work ahead of him as night falls?

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

(see the answer keys)

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