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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Santiago think is unjust but something he must do?
(a) Cut the marlin loose and go back saying he had another day of bad luck.
(b) Kill the great fish on the end of his line.
(c) Act strange for the boy.
(d) Eat more raw fish to survive.

2. How does Hemingway use Joe DiMaggio's injury to show Santiago's limited education?
(a) He thinks DiMaggio has chicken feet.
(b) He thinks DiMaggio can poke out a catcher's eye.
(c) He pretends to know what a bone spur is.
(d) He has no idea what a bone spur is.

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

4. What does the old man think he killed the fish for besides food and to keep himself alive?
(a) Revenge for all the fish he had lost.
(b) The lust for killing.
(c) Throwing a big party for his friends.
(d) Pride of being a fisherman.

5. As his head becomes unclear again, what does Santiago ask himself?
(a) Why am I not dreaming of lions?
(b) What happened to the marlin's dignity?
(c) Is he bringing me in or am I bringing him in?
(d) Why didn't I just tow him behind the skiff?

6. Why is the old man pleased that the marlin had jumped a dozen times?
(a) The fish had filled its air sacs and could not dive deep again.
(b) He thinks the fish is about to die.
(c) He was getting a good look at his fish.
(d) When the fish jumps the boat stands still.

7. How many times does the old man have to stop and sit down on his way to his shack?
(a) 2 times.
(b) 6 times.
(c) 5 times.
(d) 3 times.

8. 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 fish shimmer in the dawn light.
(c) He sees the man-of-war bird.
(d) He sees the waves get still.

9. How does the old man get hurt when the fish yanks on the line?
(a) The old man falls over and hits his head.
(b) The line cuts his hand where he was holding it.
(c) The yank causes his back to ache.
(d) The line gets tangled around his feet.

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

11. What contrast does Santiago think about that shows the hard work ahead of him as night falls?
(a) He thinks about having to kill the marlin and is glad he does not have to kill the stars.
(b) He considers the difference between night and day while fishing.
(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.

12. When Santiago sees the marlin jump out of the water, what does he realize?
(a) He and the marlin are about the same size.
(b) The marlin is getting very tired and the game is about over.
(c) He is no physical match for the marlin.
(d) It will take another day to bring in this marlin.

13. What does the marlin do as the sun rises on the third day?
(a) It begins circling the boat.
(b) It picks up speed and swims on top of the water.
(c) It tries to chew the line.
(d) It jumps every ten minutes.

14. Why does the old man wish to take Joe DiMaggio fishing?
(a) He thinks DiMaggio would be good at clubbing sharks to death.
(b) He wants to get free tickets to a Yankee game.
(c) He would like to talk about baseball while he fished.
(d) He heard that DiMaggio's father was a fisherman.

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

Short Answer Questions

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

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

3. Knowing what is coming as he approaches the island currents, what makeshift weapon does Santiago come up with?

4. When the marlin slows and is steady, Santiago finally gets some sleep. What does he dream of instead of lions?

5. Why is Santiago so sure that the Yankees will win their next games?

(see the answer keys)

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