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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does the old man discover that the fish is slowing down?
(a) From the way the man-of-war bird has to use his wings more.
(b) From the flow of blood from his hand in the water.
(c) From the fact that the breeze subsides.
(d) From the way the flying fish jump shorter distances.

2. Because Santiago always wakes the boy every morning, what does the boy call him?
(a) My alarm clock.
(b) My tormentor.
(c) My morning visitor.
(d) My big problem.

3. What does Santiago like to read in the newspaper?
(a) The baseball scores.
(b) The funny pages.
(c) The racing odds.
(d) The weather forecasts.

4. What happens to Santiago as he carries the mast up the hill?
(a) He hears the boy calling his name.
(b) He has a heart attack and dies.
(c) He gets tangled up in the sail.
(d) He falls and cannot get up.

5. What is the meaning of salao?
(a) Extreme bad luck.
(b) A greeting.
(c) The champion.
(d) A small room.

6. What shows up that the old man thinks of as a friend to talk to?a
(a) A warbler.
(b) A sea turtle.
(c) An albacore.
(d) A flying fish.

7. To what does Santiago compare his damaged hands while harpooning the shark?
(a) Joe DiMaggio's bone spur.
(b) The pain of a sting ray's attack.
(c) Hitting a home run.
(d) The teeth of the shark.

8. Why does Santiago always dream about lions?
(a) He dreams about lions eating a huge fish they catch.
(b) They are something he saw from a ship off the coast of Africa when he was a boy.
(c) Lions make him feel strong and brave.
(d) He has always loved cats because they like fish.

9. Why does Santiago feel sorry for the terns?
(a) He thinks they will get lost over the sea.
(b) He thinks they are too delicate for the sea.
(c) He thinks they are incredibly ugly.
(d) He thinks they are not fast enough and the fish will eat them.

10. What two spots does Santiago hit on the first brown shark?
(a) The jaw and the fins.
(b) The brain and the eye.
(c) Both eyes.
(d) The underbelly and the dorsal fin.

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

12. What does the old man conclude defeated him?
(a) Nothing. He only went too far out.
(b) The broken knife blade.
(c) Not having the boy with him.
(d) His cramped left hand.

13. What is the one thing not beautiful about the Mako shark?
(a) His dorsal fin.
(b) His movements.
(c) His jaws.
(d) His color.

14. How does Santiago imagine Joe DiMaggio would be able to do what he is doing with the marlin?
(a) Better, because his is young and strong and his father was a fisherman.
(b) He couldn't do it at all because of his bone spur.
(c) Not so well except at clubbing the big fish to death.
(d) He would get too tired because baseball games do not last for days.

15. What does the old man eat to keep up his strength?
(a) The last of his bait.
(b) Raw tuna.
(c) Tacos the boy gave him.
(d) The man-of-war bird.

Short Answer Questions

1. What simile does Hemingway use to show the boy's admiration for Santiago?

2. What does Santiago imagine was the reason the fish finally jumped?

3. What sound of nature replaces human sounds as Santiago rows farther and farther out to sea?

4. What advice does Santiago give the boy about the boat he is now working on?

5. What early indication does Santiago get that there are fish around where he is?

(see the answer keys)

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