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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 name of Thomas' cook?

2. Who shoots a flare gun on the dock?

3. What color is the sand on the island that Thomas lives on at the beginning of the book?

4. What does Thomas' second oldest son remind Thomas of when he first sees him?

5. What does Eddy tell Thomas to take with him to protect the boys in the reef?

Short Essay Questions

1. What characteristics do each of Thomas' sons have?

2. How does Thomas feel about driftwood at the beginning of the book?

3. What is the danger of swimming at night at the beginning of the book?

4. What does Thomas realize after the shark incident?

5. What does Tom talk about as they head out for deep sea fishing?

6. What happens when Roger's brother dies?

7. How does Thomas say writing differs from painting?

8. Who helps David with his swordfish, and what advice is he given?

9. Why does Thomas divorce his wives?

10. What does Eddy tell Thomas to take with him when he takes his boys out on the boat?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sacrifice and death was a theme that was very prevalent in this book. Who are the characters most affected by this theme, and how do they allow sacrifice to change their lives?

Essay Topic 2

How does Thomas' relationship with Ginny change over the course of the plot? What causes these changes and what significance does this have to the outcome of the book?

Essay Topic 3

This book takes place in a few different settings. Describe some of these settings and how they affected the course of the plot. Why might Hemingway have chosen these particular places for this plot to take place?

(see the answer keys)

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