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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does the boy act defensively about Santiago as the fishermen look at the marlin's skeleton?
(a) He holds back his tears so the men will not see his concern.
(b) He starts a fight with a fisherman who is laughing at the old man.
(c) He refuses to speak to the other fishermen in the village.
(d) He tells them that Santiago is sleeping and they are not to disturb him.

2. What had become a habit for the boy during the old man's absence?
(a) Arguing with the fishermen who made fun of Santiago.
(b) Saving newspapers for Santiago to read.
(c) Stopping by Santiago's shack every morning.
(d) Waking up late so he did not have to go fishing.

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

4. 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.

5. What is the boy's reaction when the proprietor of the Terrace compliments his catch the day before?
(a) He says to stop talking or it will bring him bad luck.
(b) He says to tell people to go visit the old man.
(c) He says to damn his fish and starts crying again.
(d) He says the proprietor should see what the old man caught.

6. What complaint does the boy have about the fisherman he works for after he is forced to leave Santiago?
(a) He never catches any fish.
(b) He thinks he knows everything better than Santiago.
(c) He makes him carry everything to and from the boat.
(d) He never lets me carry anything.

7. During the time Santiago had the marlin on his line, what does he think the marlin does not know?
(a) That it is possible for him to work the hook out of his mouth.
(b) That he has no chance to escape from the hook and line.
(c) That there is a man on the other end of the line and the man is old.
(d) That the boat is not just another big fish.

8. How long had their last dry spell lasted before the old man and the boy caught some good fish?
(a) 84 days.
(b) 86 days.
(c) 67 days.
(d) 64 days.

9. When do the sharks return after Santiago loses his makeshift harpoon?
(a) Early the next morning.
(b) Immediately after he ran them off the first time.
(c) Just after dark.
(d) Just before sunset.

10. How do the brown sharks attack the old man's fish?
(a) Both of them dive and attack the fish from under the water.
(b) They attack the marlin from the head and tail.
(c) They dart in quickly and swim away with small bites.
(d) One dives under the boat while the other comes from the surface.

11. Why does Santiago decide to re-bait the the small line over the stern of the boat?
(a) In case the marlin lasts another night, he will need something to eat.
(b) He needs to keep busy to get his hand to uncramp.
(c) Anything he catches on the small line will draw the sharks away from the marlin.
(d) He thinks doing that will take him mind off his pains.

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

13. 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 would like to talk about baseball while he fished.
(c) He heard that DiMaggio's father was a fisherman.
(d) He wants to get free tickets to a Yankee game.

14. Why do the sharks finally go away?
(a) Their heads hurt from the bat blows.
(b) They know the old man is dying.
(c) There is nothing left to eat on the marlin.
(d) They cannot see in the dark.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Why is the old man pleased that the marlin had jumped a dozen times?

2. How did the old man know the marlin had turned eastward?

3. Why does Santiago feel sorry for the terns?

4. What is the meaning of salao?

5. After killing the Mako shark, what is Santiago aware of as missing?

(see the answer keys)

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