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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Steinbeck think about the various descriptions they have read of Cabo San Lucas?
(a) Descriptions were exaggerating and that the place is overrated.
(b) Descriptions of Cabo San Lucas did not capture the abundance of marine life in the area.
(c) No two descriptions of Cabo San Lucas are alike.
(d) Descriptions were very creative, as there was really nothing much to say about Cabo San Lucas.

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

3. What happens to the outboard motor on Black Saturday, March 23?
(a) It does not help them approach the island.
(b) It chug-chugs noisily before breaking apart.
(c) It was stuck by some piece of shirt and can no longer be used.
(d) It falls apart and refused to run again.

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

5. What is unique about the expedition described in the story?
(a) There is nothing unique about the expedition.
(b) There is a priest on board who discusses philosophy and spirituality.
(c) The travelers here prefer safety and getting the job done to encounters of a more colorful and dangerous nature.
(d) There is a four-string quartet on deck that provides music at night, for entertainment.

6. What difference does the section dated March 24 have from the rest of the book?
(a) The crew was not collecting samples, rather just enjoying the island.
(b) It talks of a certain time outside its present day situation.
(c) It has multiple examples on how a specimen should be handled by scientists.
(d) Most of it was written by Ricketts, rather than Steinbeck, years before the voyage.

7. What does Steinbeck say about the authors of the descriptions written about Cabo San Lucas?
(a) Each description shows the biases of the author, depending on whether or not they liked their visit to the place.
(b) Each description reflects the world view and personality of the author.
(c) Each description reflects the educational background of the author.
(d) Each description is just a copycat of the earlier description published about the place.

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

9. Who is Raul?
(a) He sells chicken, pork and fish, and the expedition party bought their dinner from him.
(b) He is the local priest in La Paz.
(c) He is a boy who offeres to take Steinbeck and Ricketts in his canoe to a place that was visible from the boat, where the two can collect some specimen.
(d) He is the local leader in La Paz, and he can determine whether the expedition party can land or not.

10. 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.

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

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

13. Why does the expedition party set sail to La Paz?
(a) They have relatives and friends who live in La Paz and they are eager to visit them.
(b) They have heard much about La Paz and are eager to see the city.
(c) They have been told that there are a lot of aphrodisiacs being sold in the place.
(d) They have heard of a magic show in La paz which they all wanted to see.

14. Who are the major characters and the expedition team leaders in the story?
(a) John Steinbeck and Tony Berry.
(b) John Steinbeck and a World War II veteran.
(c) John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts.
(d) Tony Berry and Ed Ricketts.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What do Steinbeck and Ricketts buy that was eventually taken by US customs?

2. What instrument does Raul use, which Steinbeck and Ricketts buy from him?

3. There is a struggle for scraps and morsels of food.Who are the participants in the struggle?

4. Who is Tex?

5. Where is Cabo San Lucas?

(see the answer keys)

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