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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 his cramped hand make Santiago think about the boy?

2. What assistance for the old man does the boy try to get?

3. When does Santiago realize the depth of his tiredness?

4. How does Santiago know that he is not dead?

5. How does Santiago estimate the size of the marlin?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Santiago's meal on the second day and why he was so pleased after he ate.

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

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

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

5. Discuss the physical infirmity that begins to plague Santiago on the second day at sea.

6. Why was it simple for Santiago to defeat the Negro of Cienfuegas when they had a rematch in the spring?

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

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

9. As the conflict between man and fish continues, what does Santiago contemplate to gain advantage for himself? Explain.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay about loyalty. Use Manolin as your example.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay about the importance of knowing what you are up against in any conflict. In the essay explain how it helped Santiago to see his fish.

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 828 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample