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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. Santiago is far out at sea and the fish is from deep waters. What comparison does Santiago make?
(a) There is no one to help either of them.
(b) Both of them are old and past their prime.
(c) They must weigh about the same.
(d) They are like to gladiators in the arena.

3. What contrast does Santiago think about that shows the hard work ahead of him as night falls?
(a) He considers the difference between night and day while fishing.
(b) He thinks about having to kill the marlin and is glad he does not have to kill the stars.
(c) He thinks about how much larger the marlin is than the tiny stars.
(d) He thinks about how deep the marlin is and how high the stars are.

4. When do the sharks return after Santiago loses his makeshift harpoon?
(a) Early the next morning.
(b) Just before sunset.
(c) Immediately after he ran them off the first time.
(d) Just after dark.

5. What does the old man call the business of getting the marlin lashed to the skiff?
(a) Boy Scout work.
(b) Slave work.
(c) Dugout work.
(d) Easy work.

6. What tells Santiago that he is becoming unclear in the head?
(a) He tells the fish to come and kill him.
(b) He thinks he has two fish on his line.
(c) He thinks he sees the fish turning green.
(d) He tells himself to let the fish go.

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

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

9. Why does the old man scoop water from the sea after the marlin stops jumping?
(a) To see the water temperature.
(b) To medicate his left hand.
(c) To get a small drink.
(d) To wash the dolphin flesh off his face.

10. 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.

11. What sound of nature replaces human sounds as Santiago rows farther and farther out to sea?
(a) The hissing of the wings of flying fish.
(b) The chatter of dolphins searching for breakfast.
(c) The call of humpback whales.
(d) The lapping of the waves against the skiff.

12. After Santiago goes back to sleep, what is he dreaming of?
(a) Lions.
(b) Catching a larger fish.
(c) Sharks.
(d) Broken knives.

13. Why does Santiago decide to go farther out to sea than usual?
(a) He thinks big fish may be out where the schools of bonito and albacore stay.
(b) He thinks the nearer waters have been fished out.
(c) He has never been far out before.
(d) He wants to get away from other boats.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. After many tries to get the marlin alongside the skiff, what does Santiago reach for?

2. What does Santiago like to read in the newspaper?

3. What does Santiago wish he could show the fish?

4. During the time Santiago had the marlin on his line, what does he think the marlin does not know?

5. What simile does Hemingway use to describe the island of Sargasso seaweed Santiago's boat passes?

(see the answer keys)

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