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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What difficulty does the expedition party encounter when they were collecting specimen in Cabo San Lucas?
(a) The local officials do not want them to take anything away, and suggest instead that they study the specimen while they are ashore.
(b) The locals do not want them to go ashore which make collecting specimen an impossibility.
(c) Collecting specimens is difficult due to the unique characteristics of the species such as the posionous spines of the worms which was hazardous to the activity.
(d) The local policemen require that each should have driver's license, which Steinbeck and Ricketts do not have.

2. What is the Western Flyer?
(a) It is the boat owned and maintained by Ed Ricketts.
(b) It is a well-maintained vessel owned by Tony Berry used for the expedition.
(c) It is a rare species of bird found only in Mexico.
(d) It is a favorite watering hole by John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts.

3. What is The Log from the Sea of Cortez?
(a) It is the wood sold out by the expedition party to several cities in Mexico.
(b) It is a seaman's book they found on the Sea of Cortez which contains important information on marine biology.
(c) It is a very special wood found by John Steinbeck and his close friend, Ed Ricketts when they went to Cortez.
(d) It is the journal describing the marino biology expedition carried out by John Steinbeck and his close friend, Ed Ricketts.

4. What is Tony's requirement to the group?
(a) He requires that no one will talk while at sea.
(b) He requires that they say a seaman's prayer before taking the wheel.
(c) He requires that they wash heir hands prior to taking the wheel.
(d) He requires that the course be maintained as perfectly as possible.

5. What is the concept explored by the author in the section that pertains to boats and men?
(a) The personification of a boat by a man and the identification of men with their boats.
(b) The way men treat their boats like they treat their wives.
(c) How men become unreasonable when it comes to their boats.
(d) The way men choose their boats, their colors, and the length.

6. What comparison does Steinbeck often refer to?
(a) Marine organisms and men and their relationship
(b) Fruits and men and their relationship.
(c) Moon and men and their relationship.
(d) Tides and men and their relationship.

7. Who is Tex?
(a) The mechanic of the crew.
(b) Ed Rickett's son.
(c) The leader of the four-string quartet hired for the expedition.
(d) John Steinbeck's son.

8. There is a struggle for scraps and morsels of food.Who are the participants in the struggle?
(a) The local boys in the area.
(b) Wild pigs, vultures and dogs.
(c) Tiny and Sparky.
(d) The Indians in the area.

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

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

11. What does Tiny collect in La Paz?
(a) Spices and herbs that are reputed to be aphrodisiac.
(b) Dirty dishes from the various eating places they have visited.
(c) Rare, poisonous fish only seen in La Paz.
(d) Unremarkable species that are representative of the more common species in the area.

12. Who is the chef of the expedition?
(a) There is no chef mentioned in the story.
(b) Tony.
(c) Sea-Cow.
(d) Tex.

13. How does Tex see diesel engines?
(a) As toys which can be experimentes on.
(b) As abhorring inventions.
(c) As pure, logical, perfect mechanical entities.
(d) As expensive vessels not fit for sea travel.

14. What are the two types of biologists, as discussed by John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts?
(a) Those who study dead, preserved animals and those who study life in all its complexity.
(b) Those who have their own laboratory and those who rent a space for their laboratory works.
(c) Those who teach in the university and those who work for corporations.
(d) Those who work at night and those who work during the day.

15. What do members of the party feel when they are the one manning the wheel?
(a) The team members feel a but sad and melancholic listening to the sea breeze.
(b) The team members feel some pressure when they are manning the wheel, especially when Tony is watching.
(c) The team members are excited, causing them to make wrong turns.
(d) The team members feel happy and contented, and would like to remain at sea, when they are manning the wheel.

Short Answer Questions

1. What examples of marine life does the expedition party collect in Espiritu Santo Island?

2. What is Steinbeck's observation of the Indians at Espiritu Santo Island?

3. What does Steinbeck think about the various descriptions they have read of Cabo San Lucas?

4. According to John Steinbeck, what does a well-cared for and lovingly maintained boat indicate?

5. Why does the expedition party set sail to La Paz?

(see the answer keys)

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