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

2. After he finally gets to the shack and puts down the mast, what does Santiago find?
(a) A water bottle.
(b) His bed has been stolen.
(c) A newspaper with the baseball scores.
(d) A warm beer.

3. What does Santiago wish he could show the fish?
(a) His club he would use to kill the fish.
(b) How his hand was cramped.
(c) How many fathoms of line he had in the boat.
(d) What manner of man the fish was up against.

4. Why does Santiago decide to go farther out to sea than usual?
(a) He thinks big fish may be out where the schools of bonito and albacore stay.
(b) He has never been far out before.
(c) He thinks the nearer waters have been fished out.
(d) He wants to get away from other boats.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Why doesn't Santiago put the marlin into his boat?

2. What does the old man think about a cramp?

3. What does Santiago reply when the boy asks how much he suffered?

4. After killing the Mako shark, what does Santiago eat?

5. What does Santiago think is unjust but something he must do?

Short Essay Questions

1. While sleeping in the boat, what are Santiago's dream like?

2. Discuss the conflict of resolution between the old man and the fish.

3. Since the fish is too large to fit into the boat, how does Santiago plan on getting it back to shore?

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

5. Describe the relationship between Manolin and Santiago.

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

7. Toward the end of the second day, Santiago assesses his situation and thinks he has several new advantages. What are they?

8. Discuss how Hemingway uses the man-of-war bird, the dolphins, and the flying fish to explain the nature of life in the sea.

9. How does Santiago compare himself to the great sea turtles that are as big as a skiff and weigh a ton?

10. Relate the speech the boy makes to show his estimation of Santiago as a fisherman.

(see the answer keys)

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