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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay 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.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Santiago think about giving up hope?

2. What indicates the old man's pride?

3. Who does Santiago say should get the head of the marlin?

4. What does Santiago look for as he sails toward the land?

5. What vow does the old man make to the fish?

Short Essay Questions

1. Show how Hemingway uses the literary form of personification as Santiago thinks about the great fish he has hooked.

2. Santiago does not consider himself to be religious, but what happens to show that he was at one time before?

3. What significance does Santiago place on the sudden pull the fish makes on the line after swimming steadily all night long?

4. By nightfall, Santiago recognizes a change in direction. Explain how he knows that.

5. Discuss the physical infirmity that begins to plague Santiago on the second day at sea.

6. Discuss the idea of luck in The Old Man and the Sea.

7. Why is it important for Santiago to see the fish he has caught?

8. Why was it simple for Santiago to defeat the Negro of Cienfuegas when they had a rematch in the spring?

9. Explain the meaning of the statement that Santiago loved the lions in his dreams like he loved the boy.

10. Why did Santiago decide he could sleep a while on the second night?

(see the answer keys)

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