1. What does the author describe in the story, particularly at the beginning of the book?
(a) The major characters of the story, their educational backgrounds, and their family tree.
(b) The famous sea expeditions in the past, and how long each expedition lasted.
(c) He describes Mexico in great detail, including the politics and legislations of the land.
(d) The difficulties associated with in planning and preparing for an expedition, as well as the difficulty of finding a good vessel and captain.

2. Why are the particular dates chosen for an expedition?
(a) The expedition had to be done at a time when the travelers' children were vacationing with their grandparents.
(b) The dates were chosen based on the birthdates of the travelers because they wanted to celebrate at sea.
(c) The destination, the Sea of Cortez, is known to have dangerous storms that quiet down during the period chosen by the travelers.
(d) The travelling rules have just been lifted which enabled the travelers to journey to sea.

3. What is Tex's outstanding characteristic?
(a) He loves diesel engines.
(b) He loves to sleep in the daytime and do chores at night.
(c) He is afraid of the water.
(d) He cannot make a left turn.

4. What type of biologist is preferred by John Steinbeck?
(a) The type who studies life in all its complexities.
(b) The type who study dead, preserved animals.
(c) The type who work for the big corporations.
(d) The type who teaches in the university.

5. What are dry-balls?
(a) They are the medicines given to the expedition party by the locals.
(b) They are the dried coconut husks used by the local children to play ball.
(c) They are the biologists who study dead, preserved animals.
(d) They are the dried cotton balls brought to sea as part of the medicine kit.