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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. How does the old man think he could have made better preparation for eating the raw fish?
(a) Soaking it in sea water before eating it.
(b) Chopping it up into smaller pieces.
(c) Cutting it up as soon as he caught it and letting it sun dry.
(d) Splashing sea water on the bow and letting it dry to get the salt.

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

4. Obviously a very large fish that is caught on Santiago's line. What does the fish do all night long?
(a) Chases the flying fish.
(b) Pulls the boat farther out to sea.
(c) Tries to pull the boat under the water.
(d) Comes to the surface from time to time.

5. When the marlin slows and is steady, Santiago finally gets some sleep. What does he dream of instead of lions?
(a) Arm wrestling with the marlin.
(b) Cutting his hand on the fishing line.
(c) A flight on a plane.
(d) A vast school of porpoises.

6. What brings the shark towards Santiago's boat?
(a) A dark cloud of blood from the marlin.
(b) A school of dolphins following the boat.
(c) The sound of Santiago talking out loud.
(d) The flying fish jumping along side the boat.

7. How long does Santiago think he will be out to sea the morning he leaves to go far out?
(a) Only that morning.
(b) One day.
(c) Two days.
(d) Three days.

8. What does the old man think about to build up his courage as the sun sets on the second day?
(a) He remembers arm wrestling and defeating the Negro from Cienfuegos.
(b) He remembers surviving after falling overboard.
(c) He thinks about how the boy looks up to him as a great fisherman.
(d) He recalls killing a shark while he was swimming one day.

9. When does Santiago plan to be out to sea?
(a) By noon.
(b) All night.
(c) Right after daybreak.
(d) Before it is light.

10. What does Santiago think might have caused the fish to jump so much?
(a) Needing more exercise.
(b) Just waking up.
(c) A school of dolphins.
(d) Hunger or fear.

11. What indicates the old man's pride?
(a) At first refusing to eat what the boy has brought him.
(b) His shame at having such a patched up sail.
(c) He always wears a new shirt.
(d) Shame at not having enough yellow rice and fish to share with the boy.

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

13. 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?
(a) The boy would have kept the line wet so that they did not cut his hands.
(b) The boy would have taken over for him and let him go back to sleep.
(c) The boy would talk to him and keep him awake.
(d) The boy would harpoon the marlin as it jumped out of the water.

14. What amusing thing does the old man say to the fish as the fish begins to come nearer the skiff?
(a) Fish, you are going to die. Do you have to kill me, too?
(b) Fish, why don't you just give up?
(c) Fish, don't you understand that you are beaten already?
(d) Fish, you will look good hanging from my wall.

15. What assistance for the old man does the boy try to get?
(a) He tries to get his mother to make food for Santiago.
(b) He tries to get the boat he is now on to go far out near the old man.
(c) He tries to get better bait for Santiago.
(d) He tries to get a new sail for Santiago's boat.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Santiago's secret for deep sea fishing?

2. Why does the boy not go out with the fishing boats the morning of Santiago's return?

3. How long had Santiago gone without catching a fish?

4. What does Santiago plan to do to change his luck?

5. When does Santiago finally see the lights of the city?

(see the answer keys)

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