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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why is Santiago so sure that the Yankees will win their next games?
(a) They have no serious competition in their last games.
(b) They lost once and won't let it happen again.
(c) DiMaggio has recovered from his injury.
(d) They never need luck to win.

2. Which line below gives an indication of Santiago's respect for nature?
(a) He thought of how some men feared being out of sight of land in a small boat.
(b) I wish I could feed the fish, he thought. He is my brother.
(c) God help me to have the cramp go.
(d) Light brisa, he thought, better weather for me than for you, fish.

3. What does Santiago mean when he says that he must think because that is all he has left?
(a) His thinking will help keep him awake after losing so much sleep.
(b) He can only survive by using the intelligence he has that sharks do not have.
(c) As long as he keeps on thinking, he knows he is still alive.
(d) Thinking will keep him from feeling lonely without the boy there to help him.

4. When Santiago spots the shark, what does he know about the predator?
(a) It will try to knock him out of the boat.
(b) It has no fear and will do whatever it wants.
(c) It will not bother him if it is not hungry.
(d) It will not swim fast enough to catch the boat.

5. Why does the boy stop fishing with Santiago?
(a) His parents think Santiago's boat is unsafe.
(b) His parents think Santiago has bad character.
(c) His parents force him to go with a lucky boat.
(d) His parents do not want him to go to sea.

6. By nightfall of the third day, what does Santiago expect to see?
(a) Other fishing boats out at night.
(b) More sharks attacking his boat.
(c) The lights of Havana.
(d) A few stars.

7. How is he able to clean the dolphin?
(a) By using his right hand and holding it steady with his foot.
(b) By leaving its skin on and only removing its entrails.
(c) By tying the line to the marlin on the thale.
(d) By using his left hand and right foot.

8. Knowing what is coming as he approaches the island currents, what makeshift weapon does Santiago come up with?
(a) Making a noose out of the fishing line.
(b) Carving one of the oars into a baseball bat.
(c) Lashing his knife to the end of an oar.
(d) Cutting off the marlin's spear to use as a harpoon.

9. How long had Santiago gone without catching a fish?
(a) 87 days.
(b) 6 months.
(c) 84 days.
(d) 1 year.

10. When Santiago sees the marlin jump out of the water, what does he realize?
(a) It will take another day to bring in this marlin.
(b) He is no physical match for the marlin.
(c) He and the marlin are about the same size.
(d) The marlin is getting very tired and the game is about over.

11. What amazes Santiago as the boy talks about their first fishing trip?
(a) That the boy has forgotten how big the fish was.
(b) That the boy remembers everything so vividly.
(c) That so many years have passed since that time.
(d) That the boy cannot remember one thing about the trip.

12. During the time Santiago had the marlin on his line, what does he think the marlin does not know?
(a) That he has no chance to escape from the hook and line.
(b) That it is possible for him to work the hook out of his mouth.
(c) That there is a man on the other end of the line and the man is old.
(d) That the boat is not just another big fish.

13. In great pain from the cold, what does the old man hope for?
(a) That there is a cold beer waiting for him.
(b) That a boat will come out and help him.
(c) That he will not have to fight the sharks again.
(d) That the wind will pick up.

14. What happens by midnight as Santiago returns to the land?
(a) The sharks come in a pack to get the rest of the marlin.
(b) The sharks leave as he gets near the city.
(c) His hands are well enough to use both of them with the club.
(d) He is able to fight off the sharks in the dark.

15. Santiago's respect for nature and the marlin he has on his line is profound. What does he think about the people who will eat the great fish?
(a) They will refuse to eat him.
(b) They are unworthy to eat him.
(c) They will be more dignified than the marlin.
(d) They will receive some of the marlin's strength when they eat him.

Short Answer Questions

1. Santiago is pinned down and the line is rushing out around his back and through his hand, cutting them. What makes him think about the boy?

2. Who does Santiago think would be proud of him after he gets the fish lashed to the boat?

3. What does Santiago mean when he thinks that man is not made for defeat?

4. What does Santiago find in the dolphin's maw when he cuts it open?

5. What effect did his movement and the hot sun during the day have on Santiago?

(see the answer keys)

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