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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. When Santiago spots the shark, what does he know about the predator?

2. What does the old man call the business of getting the marlin lashed to the skiff?

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

4. What does Santiago wish he could show the fish?

5. What does the shadow of a passing airplane do on the surface of the sea?

Short Essay Questions

1. What knowledge does seeing the marlin bring to the old man?

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

3. It is now the next day and Santiago had brought no provisions for a meal at sea. What does he have to eat?

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

5. Describe the danger the Portuguese man-of-war man of war poses to a fisherman in a boat.

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay about all the causes for Santiago's becoming addled during this fishing trip.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay about why you think Hemingway did or did not know about deep sea fishing.

Essay Topic 3

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 809 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample