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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 last weapon does Santiago use against the sharks?

2. What does the old man think about to build up his courage as the sun sets on the second day?

3. What is Santiago doing when the boy returns to his shack?

4. How do we know the old man sleeps for a very long time?

5. How is he able to clean the dolphin?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why did Santiago give up arm wrestling?

3. How does Santiago compare himself to the great sea turtles that are as big as a skiff and weigh a ton?

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

5. Describe Santiago's first sighting of the marlin.

6. Discuss how Hemingway uses the man-of-war bird, the dolphins, and the flying fish to explain the nature of life in the sea.

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

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

9. Discuss the conflict of resolution between the old man and the fish.

10. What is Santiago's analysis of having a cramp, especially when one is alone?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay about overcoming difficulties in life.

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about how Santiago took chances because of his bad luck.

(see the answer keys)

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