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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 makes the flying fish jump out of the water and scatter feverishly?

2. What does Santiago do when another fish takes the bait on another line?

3. Why does Santiago feel sorry for the terns?

4. How long does Santiago think he will be out to sea the morning he leaves to go far out?

5. Why does the boy not go out with the fishing boats the morning of Santiago's return?

Short Essay Questions

1. Give an example of how Santiago refuses to give up after losing the harpoon.

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

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

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

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

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

7. There is something almost religious about Santiago's walk to his shack after landing with the bones of the marlin. Describe it.

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

10. Aside from the times that Santiago actually says, "I'm lonely", how does Hemingway emphasize that situation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a summary of The Old Man and the Sea.

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about gaining knowledge and wisdom through experience versus formal education. Use Santiago as your example.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 813 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample