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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Detailed Summary & Analysis.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is a favorite topic of conversation for Santiago and the boy?
(a) Drinking beer.
(b) Spear fishing.
(c) Travel.
(d) Baseball.

2. What does the old man speculate he could use to buy good luck?
(a) The bones of the marlin.
(b) Another 84 days of bad luck.
(c) The glow of the city lights on the shore.
(d) A lost harpoon, a broken knife, and two bad hands.

3. What promise does the old man make if he brings in the fish?
(a) He will invite the whole village for a fish dinner.
(b) He will demand that the boy's parents let him come back to him.
(c) He will make a pilgrimmage to the Virgin of Cobre.
(d) He will never go fishing again.

4. How did the old man know the marlin had turned eastward?
(a) His compass indicated the direction.
(b) The skiff began to go slower against the east wind.
(c) The eastern sea breezes grew stronger.
(d) The afternoon sun was on his back.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What vow does the old man make to the fish?

2. What does the old man call the business of getting the marlin lashed to the skiff?

3. Who does Santiago say should get the head of the marlin?

4. How many times does the old man have to stop and sit down on his way to his shack?

5. What does the shadow of a passing airplane do on the surface of the sea?

(see the answer key)

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