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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What happens to snap the old man out of his conversation with the bird?
(a) Several shark fins appear in the water.
(b) The bird starts singing.
(c) The fish gives a strong yank on the line.
(d) An albacore jumps into his boat.

2. After he finally gets to the shack and puts down the mast, what does Santiago find?
(a) A water bottle.
(b) His bed has been stolen.
(c) A newspaper with the baseball scores.
(d) A warm beer.

3. What happens when the shovel-nose shark comes and Santiago stabs it in the brain with his makeshift harpoon?
(a) The knife comes untied from the oar.
(b) The shark almost pulls the old man overboard.
(c) The knife blade snaps off.
(d) At that moment the wind dies down.

4. What does Santiago think about giving up hope?
(a) He believes there is no such thing as hope.
(b) He believes it is all he can do now.
(c) He believes it is being real.
(d) He believes it is a sin.

5. What does Santiago wish he could show the fish?
(a) What manner of man the fish was up against.
(b) How many fathoms of line he had in the boat.
(c) How his hand was cramped.
(d) His club he would use to kill the fish.

6. When does Santiago realize the depth of his tiredness?
(a) As he furls the sail.
(b) As he ties the boat to a rock.
(c) As he walks up the hill to his shack.
(d) As he hauls the marlin's bones out of the water.

7. What does Santiago think is unjust but something he must do?
(a) Kill the great fish on the end of his line.
(b) Cut the marlin loose and go back saying he had another day of bad luck.
(c) Act strange for the boy.
(d) Eat more raw fish to survive.

8. How long had their last dry spell lasted before the old man and the boy caught some good fish?
(a) 64 days.
(b) 67 days.
(c) 86 days.
(d) 84 days.

9. 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 give the fish less and less line.
(d) To let out the line.

10. How does he get something to eat?
(a) He eats some of the rotting sardines and hopes it does not make him sick.
(b) He cuts a slice out of the marlin.
(c) He puts the small line into the water and catches a tuna.
(d) He catches seaweed and shakes the small shrimp out of it.

11. What tells Santiago that he is becoming unclear in the head?
(a) He thinks he sees the fish turning green.
(b) He tells the fish to come and kill him.
(c) He tells himself to let the fish go.
(d) He thinks he has two fish on his line.

12. By nightfall of the third day, what does Santiago expect to see?
(a) More sharks attacking his boat.
(b) A few stars.
(c) Other fishing boats out at night.
(d) The lights of Havana.

13. What does Santiago think might have caused the fish to jump so much?
(a) Hunger or fear.
(b) Just waking up.
(c) A school of dolphins.
(d) Needing more exercise.

14. Which line below gives an indication of Santiago's respect for nature?
(a) I wish I could feed the fish, he thought. He is my brother.
(b) God help me to have the cramp go.
(c) Light brisa, he thought, better weather for me than for you, fish.
(d) He thought of how some men feared being out of sight of land in a small boat.

15. What word does Santiago utter that Hemingway says there is no translation for?
(a) Brisa
(b) Mala
(c) Ay
(d) Galanos

Short Answer Questions

1. During the time Santiago had the marlin on his line, what does he think the marlin does not know?

2. How thick is the line the old man uses to catch big fish?

3. How old was the boy the first time he went fishing with Santiago?

4. What does the shadow of a passing airplane do on the surface of the sea?

5. As his head becomes unclear again, what does Santiago ask himself?

(see the answer keys)

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