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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the old man call the business of getting the marlin lashed to the skiff?

2. What does the old man say he has to eat in his shack?

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

4. Why is Santiago so sure that the Yankees will win their next games?

5. Who does Santiago think would be proud of him after he gets the fish lashed to the boat?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is the literary purpose of references to Joe DiMaggio in the story?

3. How does Hemingway demonstrate Santiago's expertise as a sailor and fisherman?

4. It was noon when the old man hooked the fish and four hours later he thinks about something odd. What is it?

5. How does the man-of-war bird help Santiago catch an albacore?

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

7. When there is another bite on one of his other lines, Santiago cuts it loose. Why?

8. After Santiago manages to kill the shovel-nosed sharks that have taken about a quarter of the meat off his marlin, how does he feel?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay about why you think Hemingway did or did not know about deep sea fishing.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay about the hardships of fishing for a living.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about all the causes for Santiago's becoming addled during this fishing trip.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 784 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample