View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. After many tries to get the marlin alongside the skiff, what does Santiago reach for?
(a) Another bite of flying fish.
(b) His harpoon.
(c) His water bottle.
(d) His large casting net.

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

3. What does the boy order for Santiago at the Terrace Cafe?
(a) Two bottles of warm beer.
(b) Yellow rice and fried fish.
(c) Hot coffee with plenty of milk and sugar.
(d) A bag of ice to help bring down his fever.

4. What does the old man think about to build up his courage as the sun sets on the second day?
(a) He remembers surviving after falling overboard.
(b) He recalls killing a shark while he was swimming one day.
(c) He thinks about how the boy looks up to him as a great fisherman.
(d) He remembers arm wrestling and defeating the Negro from Cienfuegos.

5. Why does Santiago wish the marlin would sleep?
(a) So he could get up and walk around.
(b) So he could slowly pull the marlin in.
(c) So he could sleep and dream of lions.
(d) So he could catch his supper.

Short Answer Questions

1. Does Santiago think of the wind as his friend?

2. After killing the Mako shark, what does Santiago eat?

3. What does Santiago suddenly realize he has been doing?

4. How does Santiago justify killing the shark?

5. What simile does Hemingway use to describe the island of Sargasso seaweed Santiago's boat passes?

Short Essay Questions

1. What new indication tells Santiago and the reader that this is a truly remarkable fish after the moonlight jump?

2. Explain the significance of the scattered thoughts of the old man as he struggles to hold onto the fish.

3. How does Hemingway use conversation between the old man and the boy to show Santiago's age?

4. What happens when the first shark attacks the marlin?

5. Describe the relationship between Manolin and Santiago.

6. Why is it important for Santiago to see the fish he has caught?

7. It is now the next day and Santiago had brought no provisions for a meal at sea. What does he have to eat?

8. Explain the meaning of the statement that Santiago loved the lions in his dreams like he loved the boy.

9. After Santiago manages to kill the shovel-nosed sharks that have taken about a quarter of the meat off his marlin, how does he feel?

10. What knowledge does seeing the marlin bring to the old man?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 859 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample