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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. After killing the Mako shark, what does Santiago eat?
(a) More of the dried flying fish.
(b) The liver of the dead dolphin.
(c) Nothing. All his food is gone.
(d) A piece of the marlin where the shark had bitten it.

2. After eating the raw dolphin, what does the old man promise he will do in the future?
(a) Rig up a stove on his skiff.
(b) Bring sandwiches.
(c) Never eat on the boat again.
(d) Bring along salt and limes.

3. What does the tourist woman think she is seeing as she looks at the fish skeleton?
(a) What is left of a shark.
(b) Evidence of a feast the night before.
(c) A biology experiment.
(d) A fish that died of starvation.

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

5. Why does Santiago think he may have to fight again before he reaches Havana?
(a) The boy is not there to help him.
(b) There is still half of the meat left on the marlin.
(c) He is still having bad luck.
(d) The sharks know he cannot see them in the dark.

6. After killing the Mako shark, what is Santiago aware of as missing?
(a) His casting net.
(b) The feeling in his left hand.
(c) His harpoon.
(d) The tradewinds.

7. What happens after the old man harpoons the fish?
(a) The marlin starts swimming fast and pulls the boat with him.
(b) The harpoon line breaks and the marlin gets away.
(c) It goes high into the air and comes back down, blinding Santiago with sea spray.
(d) The fish tries to jump into the boat with the old man.

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

9. 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 will not swim fast enough to catch the boat.
(c) It will not bother him if it is not hungry.
(d) It has no fear and will do whatever it wants.

10. What early indication does Santiago get that there are fish around where he is?
(a) He sees his fishing line moving.
(b) He sees the waves get still.
(c) He sees the man-of-war bird.
(d) He sees the fish shimmer in the dawn light.

11. Who does Santiago say should get the head of the marlin?
(a) Pedrico.
(b) The alcalde.
(c) The boy.
(d) Himself.

12. What does Santiago do when another fish takes the bait on another line?
(a) He laughs at his good luck.
(b) He hopes it is small enough to attract other big fish.
(c) He cuts it loose.
(d) He drops anchor.

13. What happens to snap the old man out of his conversation with the bird?
(a) Several shark fins appear in the water.
(b) The bird starts singing.
(c) An albacore jumps into his boat.
(d) The fish gives a strong yank on the line.

14. What happens to make the old man forget his aches and pains?
(a) His line breaks.
(b) There is a beautiful sunrise.
(c) A storm comes up.
(d) The great fish surfaces.

15. What does Santiago promise that he cannot do right at the moment?
(a) Say a hundred Our Fathers and a hundred Hail Marys.
(b) Get himself a larger boat.
(c) Go to church every morning.
(d) Always bring the boy with him.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the old man think is a greater punishment for the marlin than the hook in his mouth?

2. How thick is the line the old man uses to catch big fish?

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

4. Speaking out loud, what does Santiago say to the big fish on his line?

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

(see the answer keys)

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