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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 policemen require that each should have driver's license, which Steinbeck and Ricketts do not have.
(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 officials do not want them to take anything away, and suggest instead that they study the specimen while they are ashore.

2. What is the greater purpose for which the author wants to use his observations of the activities of the biological creatures?
(a) To increase the public's awareness on marine life in Mexico.
(b) To understand and improve the human species.
(c) To improve the way people look at biological creatures.
(d) To improve the laws and regulations regarding sea expeditions.

3. What is taking place on the day before the expedition party leaves for its journey?
(a) A mass to bless the travelers in their journey.
(b) A mass asking for good harvest.
(c) A celebration for the success of the expedition.
(d) A celebration marking the end of the sardine fishing season.

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

5. What important part of history is happening at the time of the expedition?
(a) World War I.
(b) The Summer Olympics.
(c) World War II.
(d) The Formula One Grand Prix.

6. What is teleological thinking, as introduced by the author on Easter Sunday, March 24?
(a) It is the thinking that concerns itself with finding a specific cause and effect, and in laying out how things should be.
(b) It is the thinking that is dependent on the current events shown on the television.
(c) It is the thinking that relates men to sea creatures.
(d) It is the thinking that dictates how a sea traveler must chart his voyage.

7. Who is the captain of the ship for the expedition?
(a) John Steinbeck.
(b) Tony Berry.
(c) Ed Ricketts.
(d) A World War I veteran.

8. Who is the most competent in commanding the wheel?
(a) Tony.
(b) Ed.
(c) John.
(d) Tex.

9. What does the expedition party do on March 22, Good Friday?
(a) They spend the whole day with their relatives and friends whom they visited in La Paz.
(b) They put on their good clothes and go to services in an old church in La Paz.
(c) They stay on the boat, not wanting to create noise in the city.
(d) They sell their collection to those who are interested.

10. What is Steinbeck's observation of the Indians at Espiritu Santo Island?
(a) They seem to have relatively simple, timeless and happy lives.
(b) They are not much different from Americans - they both love burgers.
(c) They seem to lead lives that are strongly anchored on their ancestral practices.
(d) They are very respectful of their elders, always giving way to people older than them.

11. Why does the author write the story?
(a) He wants future travelers to have better information that can help them prepare for a similar expedition.
(b) He wants to write about how traveling at sea can be done on a limited budget.
(c) He wants to be known as a man who liked to travel the seas.
(d) He wants the world to know his good friend Ed Ricketts.

12. What does the expedition party find on their destination on March 23?
(a) It was full of other visitors, tourists who have heard about the place, and they cannot do any collection activity.
(b) It requires a visitor's tax and they do not have enough money to pay the tax.
(c) It has abundant life form and they need more tha a month to fully collect all the interesting specimen present.
(d) It has little life form and there is not much of interest to collect.

13. What do Steinbeck and Ricketts do to Tiny's prey?
(a) They cut the meat and make a stew out of it.
(b) They cut the legs and collect them in a jar filled with water.
(c) They crack its shell and use it as soup bowls.
(d) They dissect it to learn what they can.

14. What examples of marine life does the expedition party collect in Espiritu Santo Island?
(a) Porpoises and sea turtles.
(b) Starfishes and seahorses.
(c) Sea cucumbers and brittle-stars.
(d) Anemone fish and tadpoles.

15. According to John Steinbeck, what does a rusting, disorderly boat with its pain peeling off indicate?
(a) That the owner is most likely equally disheveled and careless.
(b) That the owner is most likely fond of changing clothes during the day.
(c) That the owner is most likely afraid of needles and injections.
(d) That the owner is most likely a very old man with some memory loss.

Short Answer Questions

1. What scientific testing does Steinbeck intend to do on the liquor?

2. What does the author describe in the story, particularly at the beginning of the book?

3. How does Steinbeck describe a scientist's reaction to death of a sea creature?

4. What does the expedition party have for dinner on the evening of Good Friday, March 22?

5. What are the two types of biologists, as discussed by John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts?

(see the answer keys)

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