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

2. How many rows of teeth does the Mako shark have?

3. What does Santiago have besides his strength?

4. What worries Santiago as he returns to Cuba in the night?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What indicates that Santiago has no idea of catching the largest marlin ever landed in those waters?

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

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

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

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

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

7. What new indication tells Santiago and the reader that this is a truly remarkable fish after the moonlight jump?

8. How does Santiago think about the night time conflict between himself and the great fish?

9. Why can the old man not let go of the line as the big fish tows his skiff farther out to sea?

10. Describe the relationship between Manolin and Santiago.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write your opinion about Hemingway's style of writing. Use examples from the book.

Essay Topic 2

Write a summary of The Old Man and the Sea.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about symbolism Hemingway uses in The Old Man and the Sea.

(see the answer keys)

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