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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Santiago always dream about lions?

2. Santiago hates these sharks because they were something more than killers like the Mako shark. What is that?

3. What commonality does Santiago observe in deep water fish when they pick up speed?

4. What two spots does Santiago hit on the first brown shark?

5. Something brings Santiago out of his reverie. What is it?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Santiago think about the night time conflict between himself and the great fish?

2. Give an example of how Santiago refuses to give up after losing the harpoon.

3. When there is another bite on one of his other lines, Santiago cuts it loose. Why?

4. How does the conflict intensify on the second night?

5. Santiago does not consider himself to be religious, but what happens to show that he was at one time before?

6. Relate the speech the boy makes to show his estimation of Santiago as a fisherman.

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. Why can the old man not let go of the line as the big fish tows his skiff farther out to sea?

9. Show how Hemingway uses the literary form of personification as Santiago thinks about the great fish he has hooked.

10. On the second night, describe the old man's recollection that shows how strong he was years ago.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay about loyalty. Use Manolin as your example.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay explaining you opinion on what happens to the old man after he returns with the marlin bones.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about the hardships of fishing for a living.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 785 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample