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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. Why does Santiago wish the marlin would sleep?
(a) So he could sleep and dream of lions.
(b) So he could slowly pull the marlin in.
(c) So he could catch his supper.
(d) So he could get up and walk around.

3. What does the old man conclude defeated him?
(a) Not having the boy with him.
(b) Nothing. He only went too far out.
(c) His cramped left hand.
(d) The broken knife blade.

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

5. As the sun sets, what advantage does Santiago tell himself he has over the marlin?
(a) Night time is easier for a man than for a fish.
(b) He has eaten but the marlin has not.
(c) He will be able to sleep but the marlin cannot.
(d) On the surface, he can see the stars but the marlin cannot.

6. How does Santiago justify killing the shark?
(a) Respect for the marlin.
(b) The reward money.
(c) Saving other lives.
(d) Self-defense.

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

8. How does Santiago imagine Joe DiMaggio would be able to do what he is doing with the marlin?
(a) He would get too tired because baseball games do not last for days.
(b) Better, because his is young and strong and his father was a fisherman.
(c) He couldn't do it at all because of his bone spur.
(d) Not so well except at clubbing the big fish to death.

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

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

11. Santiago recalls catching marlin that weighed over a thousand pounds. Why is this time different?
(a) Before he always had someone to help him.
(b) This time he has only a small casting net with him.
(c) Before he was in a much larger boat.
(d) This time the fish shows no signs of tiring.

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

13. Thinking about what the marlin can see deep in the water, how does Santiago recall his own vision years ago?
(a) He recalls not ever seeing well after the sun went down.
(b) He remembers that horses are blind at night.
(c) He recalls being able to see in total darkness.
(d) He remembers he once had night vision like a cat.

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

15. Santiago hates these sharks because they were something more than killers like the Mako shark. What is that?
(a) Stupid.
(b) Man eaters.
(c) Ugly.
(d) Scavengers.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the boy's reaction when the proprietor of the Terrace compliments his catch the day before?

2. What had become a habit for the boy during the old man's absence?

3. How old was the boy the first time he went fishing with Santiago?

4. How do we know the old man sleeps for a very long time?

5. Even though the boy can no longer fish with Santiago, how does he show his loyalty?

(see the answer keys)

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