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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What do Steinbeck and Ricketts encounter when they go for a walk in the dark?
(a) A little cross with a candle lighting it.
(b) A little boy offering some pearls from the sea.
(c) A local hospital that treats voyagers for free.
(d) A store that sells imported cigarettes.

2. What does the expedition party find when they finally landed on the shores of San Jose Island?
(a) Coal, gold and several precious stones.
(b) Several other outboard motors to replace the one they have.
(c) Several ladies with leis waiting for them.
(d) Fire-rings, fuel, clam and turtle shells.

3. Where is the expedition party heading?
(a) They arre heading north to their destination.
(b) They arre heading west to their destination.
(c) They arre heading east to their destination.
(d) They are heading south to their destination.

4. What happens to the porpoises, as observed by Steinbeck and Ricketts?
(a) The porpoises have changed from the northern species to a grey, slender, long-nosed species.
(b) They do not taste well.
(c) They change colors from when they are alive to when they are dead and preserved.
(d) They do not make good subject for photographs.

5. What are John Steinbeck's lamentations about?
(a) The lack of information available to him necessary to plan an expedition to the sea.
(b) The soaring prices of gasoline and labor which he needs for his expedition.
(c) The weather being unpredictable which makes a sea expedition particularly hard.
(d) About how short a time he has to do all the things he wants to do.

6. What does the expedition party do after sorting the specimen they have collected?
(a) They go ashore and visit a local cantina in the town of San Lucas.
(b) They buy jewelry for their girlfriends and wives back at home.
(c) They sell the specimen to the locals in San Lucas.
(d) They pack all the specimen in ice bags and send it back to the US.

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

8. What do the Mexican officials do with the expedition party?
(a) They arrive to inspect the expedition party's baggages including the marine life they have caught.
(b) They arrive for a welcoming ceremony including coffee, smoking and a bit of paperwork.
(c) They arrive to discuss with Steinbeck the possibility of making a book about Cabo San Lucas.
(d) They arrive to talk to Steinbeck and Ricketts another expedition to be done within the year.

9. What is Steinbeck's thesis about origins of names of places, specifically California?
(a) That names arise organically from the places themselves as much as they do from any purposeful naming of them.
(b) That names are usually given by the first priest to reside in the place.
(c) That the first settlers usually name the place after their first born.
(d) That names are randomly selected during the full moon.

10. What is Tony's requirement to the group?
(a) He requires that the course be maintained as perfectly as possible.
(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 no one will talk while at sea.

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

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

13. What does Steinbeck notice about the sense of time of the local people of Cabo San Lucas?
(a) There is nothing different about their sense of time and that of the indigents'.
(b) It seems so different from their own.
(c) They seem to all walk faster, indicating that they have a faster sense of time.
(d) It is reversed, sleeping during the day and working during the night.

14. How does Steinbeck describe a scientist's reaction to death of a sea creature?
(a) He describes the scientist's approach to the experience as a child getting the toy that he wished for.
(b) He describes the scientist's approach to the experience as someone finally climbing a mountain that is so hard to climb.
(c) He describes the scientist's approach to the experience as an exciting adventure.
(d) He describes the scientist's approach to the experience as an opportunity to learn more about the species.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What can be seen in Cabo San Lucas?

2. Who is the captain of the ship for the expedition?

3. How are Tiny and Sparky presented?

4. What happens to the vessel during Tiny and Sparky's watch?

5. What do Steinbeck and Ricketts do on Easter Sunday?

(see the answer keys)

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