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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 does Santiago dream of?
(a) The women he has known in his youth.
(b) Africa and the lions on the beach.
(c) The fights he had when he was young.
(d) Fishing in a new, large boat.

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

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

4. What does the old man fear since the shark had taken about forty pounds of flesh off the marlin?
(a) That people would think he had eaten part of his catch.
(b) That he would not win a prize for catching the largest marlin.
(c) That fishermen would say he found the marlin dead and floating in the water.
(d) That there would soon be other sharks.

5. How does Santiago console himself after the first shark attack?
(a) That it was all a dream.
(b) That the worst was over.
(c) That he had killed the shark.
(d) That he was still alive.

Short Answer Questions

1. As his head becomes unclear again, what does Santiago ask himself?

2. Why does the old man's boat move faster as he nears the land?

3. What happens while Santiago and the boy enjoy a beer on the Terrace?

4. After Santiago goes back to sleep, what is he dreaming of?

5. What is Santiago missing that will not allow him to attract a flying fish to land in his skiff?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the danger the Portuguese man-of-war man of war poses to a fisherman in a boat.

2. Describe Santiago's first sighting of the marlin.

3. What knowledge does seeing the marlin bring to the old man?

4. What makes Manolin cry after he discovers the old man at his house?

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

6. It is now the next day and Santiago had brought no provisions for a meal at sea. What does he have to eat?

7. How does the conflict intensify on the second night?

8. Describe the conditions during the first night after Santiago caught the big fish.

9. How does Hemingway use conversation between the old man and the boy to show Santiago's age?

10. Identify a few passages in the story that indicate the pride of Santiago.

(see the answer keys)

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