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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 Santiago think might have caused the fish to jump so much?

2. Why does Santiago feel sorry for the terns?

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

4. Why do the sharks finally go away?

5. What kind of sharks came the second time?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe the conditions during the first night after Santiago caught the big fish.

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

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

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

6. What significance does Santiago place on the sudden pull the fish makes on the line after swimming steadily all night long?

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

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

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

10. Describe the last moments that define the valor of the great marlin.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay explaining you opinion on what happens to the old man after he returns with the marlin bones.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay about fishing as a hobby versus fishing for a living.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about Santiago's opinion of himself that he is a strange old man and must prove it.

(see the answer keys)

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