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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What early indication does Santiago get that there are fish around where he is?
(a) He sees his fishing line moving.
(b) He sees the waves get still.
(c) He sees the fish shimmer in the dawn light.
(d) He sees the man-of-war bird.

2. How does he know which way to sail?
(a) From the stars he had seen the night before.
(b) From the way the flying fish are jumping.
(c) From the sun and the tradewinds.
(d) From the compass he always had with him.

3. How does the old man console himself as he returns home?
(a) He will never have to go fishing again.
(b) There is little damage to his boat.
(c) The boy will be there waiting for him.
(d) He promises himself never to go that far out again.

4. Santiago's respect for nature and the marlin he has on his line is profound. What does he think about the people who will eat the great fish?
(a) They will refuse to eat him.
(b) They are unworthy to eat him.
(c) They will receive some of the marlin's strength when they eat him.
(d) They will be more dignified than the marlin.

5. How does the boy act defensively about Santiago as the fishermen look at the marlin's skeleton?
(a) He holds back his tears so the men will not see his concern.
(b) He starts a fight with a fisherman who is laughing at the old man.
(c) He refuses to speak to the other fishermen in the village.
(d) He tells them that Santiago is sleeping and they are not to disturb him.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the boy order for Santiago at the Terrace Cafe?

2. What does the tourist woman think she is seeing as she looks at the fish skeleton?

3. What is the one thing not beautiful about the Mako shark?

4. What word does Santiago utter that Hemingway says there is no translation for?

5. Why is Santiago so sure that the Yankees will win their next games?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does the man-of-war bird help Santiago catch an albacore?

3. Identify a few passages in the story that indicate the pride of Santiago.

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

5. It was noon when the old man hooked the fish and four hours later he thinks about something odd. What is it?

6. Discuss the idea of luck in The Old Man and the Sea.

7. Explain the first indication that Santiago has that he has caught a very large fish, even though he has not seen it and does know know what kind of fish it is.

8. Why did Santiago give up arm wrestling?

9. As the conflict between man and fish continues, what does Santiago contemplate to gain advantage for himself? Explain.

10. What makes Manolin cry after he discovers the old man at his house?

(see the answer keys)

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