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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the expedition party find when they finally landed on the shores of San Jose Island?
(a) Coal, gold and several precious stones.
(b) Fire-rings, fuel, clam and turtle shells.
(c) Several ladies with leis waiting for them.
(d) Several other outboard motors to replace the one they have.

2. How does John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts pass the time while their boat is being outfitted?
(a) The sample the local dishes and make arrangements for food to be taken out to sea.
(b) They observe the boats and their fishermen and how the boats reflect their owners.
(c) They talk to the local fishermen and ask for interesting marine species.
(d) They sample the local beer and compare it with the others they have tried.

3. How does Steinbeck describe a scientist's reaction to death of a sea creature?
(a) He describes the scientist's approach to the experience as an opportunity to learn more about the species.
(b) He describes the scientist's approach to the experience as an exciting adventure.
(c) He describes the scientist's approach to the experience as someone finally climbing a mountain that is so hard to climb.
(d) He describes the scientist's approach to the experience as a child getting the toy that he wished for.

4. Steinbeck worries about the soldiers' reaction to what during their travel?
(a) He is worried that the soldiers might ask them to give up their supplies for the war.
(b) He is worried that the soldiers might want to join them which will result to problems in food and water.
(c) He is worried that the soldiers might ask to hide in the vessel.
(d) Because of the war, he is worried that the soldiers might not understand the nature of their equipment and the purpose of their travels.

5. What does Tex find out about the skiff's outboard motor?
(a) It is already falling apart and as such can no longer be used.
(b) It runs perfectly when sprinkled with salt first prior to starting.
(c) It runs perfectly when placed in water on board, but not in the actual ocean.
(d) It runs perfectly when there is no one aboard the ship.

6. What limitation does the expedition party have that is particular to their voyage?
(a) They can only sail in the morning because their light is not as powerful as those of the other voyages.
(b) They have a limited supply of food and drinks, and medicine, too.
(c) They have only a small crew compared to other voyages with dozens of crew on board.
(d) They only have six weeks to complete their entire voyage, on top of constraints presented by the tides.

7. What does the expedition party have for dinner on the evening of Good Friday, March 22?
(a) Buttered vegetables.
(b) Chicken.
(c) Fish and chips.
(d) Roasted pork.

8. What do Tiny and Sparky do while they are on watch?
(a) They take turns scratching each other's back.
(b) They play card games, making the boat sail the wrong way.
(c) They pay more attention to fishing than to the sailing of the ship.
(d) Tiny plays the guitar while Sparky sings.

9. Who are the major characters and the expedition team leaders in the story?
(a) John Steinbeck and a World War II veteran.
(b) John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts.
(c) John Steinbeck and Tony Berry.
(d) Tony Berry and Ed Ricketts.

10. What is the author's description of Espiritu Santo Island?
(a) It is an area with sandy beaches and large rocks resting on the sand, under which there may be some interesting creatures.
(b) It is an area that is highly commercialized, and almost all wares can be found.
(c) It is an area with very colorful cottages which serves as resting place for travelers.
(d) It is an area that is just starting its tourism industry, as such has still low prices for food and lodgings.

11. What is a Sally Lightfoot crab?
(a) It is a female crab with a very unique tattoo on its shell, shaped like a foot.
(b) It is a small crab with giant feet, and the name is meant as a private joke among residents of Cabo San Lucas.
(c) It is a female crab which clings to people's feet.
(d) It is a particularly agile, small crab which seems to elude every attempt for its capture.

12. What happens to the outboard motor on Black Saturday, March 23?
(a) It does not help them approach the island.
(b) It chug-chugs noisily before breaking apart.
(c) It was stuck by some piece of shirt and can no longer be used.
(d) It falls apart and refused to run again.

13. What comparison does Steinbeck often refer to?
(a) Fruits and men and their relationship.
(b) Moon and men and their relationship.
(c) Marine organisms and men and their relationship
(d) Tides and men and their relationship.

14. How are Tiny and Sparky presented?
(a) Tiny and Sparky are presented as mortal enemies, always fighting each other and having opposing views.
(b) Tiny and Sparky are presented as similar to husband and wives, always looking after each other, and attending to each other's needs.
(c) Tiny and Sparky are presented almost as two halves of one person, seeming to always do the same things at the same time.
(d) Tiny and Sparky are presented as two individuals who have no similarities or connection to each other.

15. Why does the crew prefer to catch and eat any other fish than the porpoises?
(a) Because the propoises were poisonous.
(b) Because porpoises were known to have high levels of salt, which was not advisable for someone sailing at sea.
(c) Because porpoises make the crew sleepy, making them unable to steer the boat properly.
(d) According to Steinbeck, it was probably because the porpoises were too human-like.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where is the expedition party heading?

2. What does the expedition party do on their last night ashore when their boat is ready and loaded?

3. What is the Western Flyer?

4. What happens to the vessel during Tiny and Sparky's watch?

5. What does the expedition party do after sorting the specimen they have collected?

(see the answer keys)

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