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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What do members of the party feel when they are the one manning the wheel?
(a) The team members feel happy and contented, and would like to remain at sea, when they are manning the wheel.
(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 a but sad and melancholic listening to the sea breeze.

3. What does the expedition party observe about the town of San Lucas?
(a) That the town has several interesting landmarks.
(b) That the town has recently suffered a great flood and the town is in disrepair.
(c) That the town drives on the left side of the road.
(d) That the town is very much alive and everyone is heading to the ocean.

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

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

6. Where is Cabo San Lucas?
(a) It is at the southern tip of Magdalena Bay.
(b) It is at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula.
(c) It is at the southern tip of San Diego Bay.
(d) It is at the northern tip of San Diego Bay.

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

8. What is non-teleological thinking, as introduced by the author on Easter Sunday, March 24?
(a) It is the thinking that can change in an instant, usually associated with women.
(b) It is the thinking that relates men to sea vessels and motors.
(c) It is the thinking that is dependent on tidal waves and moon shine.
(d) It is the thinking that attempts to look at the larger whole and simply understand and evaluate what is.

9. What is the author's description of Espiritu Santo Island?
(a) It is an area with sandy beaches and large rocks resting on the sand, under which there may be some interesting creatures.
(b) It is an area that is just starting its tourism industry, as such has still low prices for food and lodgings.
(c) It is an area that is highly commercialized, and almost all wares can be found.
(d) It is an area with very colorful cottages which serves as resting place for travelers.

10. 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 an opportunity to learn more about the species.
(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 someone finally climbing a mountain that is so hard to climb.

11. What does the author describe in the story, particularly at the beginning of the book?
(a) The famous sea expeditions in the past, and how long each expedition lasted.
(b) The major characters of the story, their educational backgrounds, and their family tree.
(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.

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

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

14. How does Steinbeck compare navigation at sea to life?
(a) He likens sea navigation to courting a girl.
(b) He likens trying to keep a course to walking a tight pole.
(c) He likens trying to keep a course to attempting to achieve an ideal.
(d) He likens sea navigation to cooking a gourmet course.

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

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What does the expedition party do on March 22, Good Friday?

3. Where does the expedition party go on the morning of March 23, Black Saturday?

4. Where is the expedition party heading?

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

(see the answer keys)

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