The Log from the Sea of Cortez Test | Mid-Book Test - Hard

This set of Lesson Plans consists of approximately 207 pages of tests, essay questions, lessons, and other teaching materials.

The Log from the Sea of Cortez Test | Mid-Book Test - Hard

This set of Lesson Plans consists of approximately 207 pages of tests, essay questions, lessons, and other teaching materials.
Buy The Log from the Sea of Cortez Lesson Plans
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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. What is the greater purpose for which the author wants to use his observations of the activities of the biological creatures?

2. Where does the expedition team go the next morning, March 13?

3. Who are the major characters and the expedition team leaders in the story?

4. Where is Cabo San Lucas?

5. What does Steinbeck think about the various descriptions they have read of Cabo San Lucas?

Short Essay Questions

1. Tiny and Sparky are described as almost two halves of one person. Make some speculations on their appearance and characters in general.

2. Steinbeck hints at Tiny's stories of his past as being too racy to be repeated in the book. Speculate on Tiny's past. What could his stories be about and why can't it be repeated in the book?

3. What is the Log of Sea Cortez and why was it created?

4. Describe San Jose Island and how it appears to the expedition party. Give an explanation to the things that the party see when they try to go ashore in the island.

5. Describe Tony and make some assumptions on the way he looks.

6. Steinbeck notices two men and a woman in Cabo San Lucas, paddling their canoe to the boat to do a little talking. He remarks that the indigenous people's sense of time is different from theirs. Describe the group that Steinbeck encounters, and what about their appearance invites such remarks from Steinbeck?

7. Briefly discuss the group's encounter when they try to have chicken for dinner. Can you give some rationale to the efforts the group went through just to have chicken for dinner?

8. How does Steinbeck compare staying on course at sea to achieving a goal in life?

9. Briefly discuss how Tony's personality is impressed upon the team members as they take turns manning the wheel.

10. Explain Steinbeck's theory on man's struggle for dominance. What is his theory on how one group never stays in power for a very long time?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Steinbeck makes some comments on the different reactions a scientist and a layman has on death. Expound this comment further. Describe the two reactions, define the uniqueness of each. What are the differences these two reactions will have? Do you think there will be times when a layman will have the same reaction as a scientist has, and vice versa? Why or why not? Cite several examples from the story.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the concept of teleological and non-teleological thinking in your own words. Cite specific instances in the book when a particular character has displayed either of the two types of thought. Give examples of the two types of thought in religion, politics, child-rearing, and even health.

Essay Topic 3

Tex loves diesel engines and sees them as pure, logical, perfect mechanical entities. Is this love for diesel engines what made Tex become a mechanic or did Tex get to love diesel engines after being a mechanic and being exposed to them? Whether it is the former or the latter, what does this say about Tex? If it is the former, is Tex then a dreamer/romantic who pursues his ideals from his childhood? Or if it is the latter, is Tex then a logical person who sees the value in things and appreciates these values? How are these traits exhibited in the story? Whatever your answers are, please support them with instances in the story.

(see the answer keys)

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