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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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 sees the fish turning green.
(c) He thinks he has two fish on his line.
(d) He tells himself to let the fish go.

2. Why does the old man's boat move faster as he nears the land?
(a) There is little weight now on the side of his boat.
(b) He is being carried by the Gulf Stream.
(c) The winds pick up.
(d) Sharks are pushing it along.

3. After many tries to get the marlin alongside the skiff, what does Santiago reach for?
(a) Another bite of flying fish.
(b) His water bottle.
(c) His large casting net.
(d) His harpoon.

4. Why does the boy not go out with the fishing boats the morning of Santiago's return?
(a) He found Santiago dead in his shack.
(b) He was too tired from fishing the day before.
(c) The winds were too strong for the boats to sail that morning.
(d) He wanted to stay on the shore and watch for the old man's return.

5. How many rows of teeth does the Mako shark have?
(a) Eight.
(b) Four.
(c) Two.
(d) Six.

6. What does Santiago think about giving up hope?
(a) He believes there is no such thing as hope.
(b) He believes it is being real.
(c) He believes it is a sin.
(d) He believes it is all he can do now.

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

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

9. What does Santiago look for as he sails toward the land?
(a) Dangerous reefs he might wreck on.
(b) Evidence of sharks in the water.
(c) Signs of land up ahead.
(d) Sails or smoke from ships.

10. What vow does the old man make to the fish?
(a) That he will cut him loose if he does not jump out of the water.
(b) That he will die there with the fish.
(c) That he will kill him before the day is over.
(d) That he will let the fish go after he pulls him up to the surface.

11. What does Santiago mean when he thinks that man is not made for defeat?
(a) Man cannot lose a battle.
(b) Man can be destroyed but not defeated.
(c) Man will always win over animals.
(d) Man can only be defeated if he loses his mind.

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

13. When does Santiago realize the depth of his tiredness?
(a) As he ties the boat to a rock.
(b) As he hauls the marlin's bones out of the water.
(c) As he walks up the hill to his shack.
(d) As he furls the sail.

14. What word does Santiago utter that Hemingway says there is no translation for?
(a) Brisa
(b) Ay
(c) Mala
(d) Galanos

15. What does Santiago reply when the boy asks how much he suffered?
(a) Only my hands.
(b) Not at all.
(c) Plenty.
(d) Not much.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does the old man wish to take Joe DiMaggio fishing?

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

3. What does Santiago promise that he cannot do right at the moment?

4. When do the sharks return after Santiago loses his makeshift harpoon?

5. While Santiago pulls in the small dolphin he catches on the stern line, what changes does the marlin make?

(see the answer keys)

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