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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why do the men need to head for shore in Part 4?
(a) Because it is dinner time and their families have meals prepared for them.
(b) Because the boat is being destroyed by the waves and is going to sink.
(c) Because people are waving to them.
(d) Because soon they will be too exhausted to swim even if they do get close.

2. Since the four men on the boat have now been seen, what do think they think will surely happen very soon?
(a) Someone will come with a lifeboat.
(b) Someone will swim out to sea to rescue them.
(c) They will have to swim to shore.
(d) They will die.

3. In regards to the shark, what does the correspondent think he would not do in different circumstances?
(a) Love the shark.
(b) Fear the shark.
(c) Be jealous of the shark
(d) Curse the sea.

4. What do the men do in Part 5?
(a) Try to swim to shore.
(b) Spend one of the longest nights of their lives.
(c) Die by drowning.
(d) Sleep peacefully.

5. In Part 4, what are the men unaware of?
(a) No one can see them.
(b) That there is no life-saving station anywhere near where they are.
(c) They are being mocked by nature.
(d) The ship has a hole in it.

6. What do the men think is odd in Part 4?
(a) That the winds are calm.
(b) That the waves are vicious.
(c) That nature is indifferent.
(d) That no one sees them.

7. What do the men do since they are unable to reach shore safely in Part 4?
(a) Accept their deaths.
(b) Head out to deeper water.
(c) Head toward another island.
(d) Head toward shore.

8. What do the men think that anyone who has seen them from onshore may believe?
(a) That they are an illusion.
(b) That they are simply out for sport.
(c) That saving them is hopeless.
(d) That they are already dead.

9. When do the men plan to attempt making it to shore in Part 6?
(a) In two days.
(b) In the morning.
(c) In an hour.
(d) Within a week.

10. What is the oiler doing in Part 5?
(a) Eating.
(b) Sleeping.
(c) Rowing.
(d) Crying.

11. In Part 5, what does the only person who is awake listen to?
(a) The encouraging words of the people on shore.
(b) The wind blowing through his hair.
(c) The sound of the shark's body bumping into the boat.
(d) The waves slapping against the boat.

12. Who is the four men's only company in Part 5?
(a) The man from shore.
(b) The waves.
(c) The wind.
(d) A shark.

13. What can the men do about the shark?
(a) Laugh at it.
(b) Kill it.
(c) Nothing.
(d) Be its dinner.

14. Who appears to be the main character in "The Open Boat"?
(a) The oiler.
(b) The cook.
(c) The correspondent.
(d) The captain.

15. What does the correspondent watch for in Part 5?
(a) The lighthouse to shine a light on them.
(b) The blue glint of the shark's fin.
(c) The seagulls to return.
(d) The men on shore to signal them in.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is the only person awake at the beginning of Part 6?

2. Who do the men think would be cruel to allow them to die?

3. Whose point of view is the entirety of "The Open Boat" told from?

4. What provides the only sound in Part 5?

5. What do the men wonder about as they head out toward deeper water in Part 4?

(see the answer keys)

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