View a FREE sample

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 boy offering some pearls from the sea.
(b) A local hospital that treats voyagers for free.
(c) A little cross with a candle lighting it.
(d) A store that sells imported cigarettes.

2. What are the two types of biologists, as discussed by John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts?
(a) Those who teach in the university and those who work for corporations.
(b) Those who work at night and those who work during the day.
(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.

3. Why does the author rant about the outboard motor?
(a) Because it has a foul odor.
(b) Because it is very noisy.
(c) Because its appearance is not attractive.
(d) Because it has brought them much hardship during the expedition.

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

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

6. Where does the expedition team go the next morning, March 13?
(a) Los Angeles Bay.
(b) San Diego Bay.
(c) San Francisco Bay.
(d) Palo Alto Bay.

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

8. 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 relatives and friends who live in La Paz and they are eager to visit them.
(c) They have heard much about La Paz and are eager to see the city.
(d) They have heard of a magic show in La paz which they all wanted to see.

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

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 exciting adventure.
(c) He describes the scientist's approach to the experience as someone finally climbing a mountain that is so hard to climb.
(d) He describes the scientist's approach to the experience as an opportunity to learn more about the species.

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

12. On March 18, where does the expedition party end up going when a wind rises before they were able to anchor?
(a) San Diego Bay.
(b) Marina Bay.
(c) Pescadero Point.
(d) Magdalena Bay.

13. 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 are excited, causing them to make wrong turns.
(c) The team members feel some pressure when they are manning the wheel, especially when Tony is watching.
(d) The team members feel a but sad and melancholic listening to the sea breeze.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Tex's outstanding characteristic?

2. What explanation does the expedition party give to the Mexicans they meet on Espiritu Santo Island?

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

4. What can be seen in Cabo San Lucas?

5. What is the duration covered by the story?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,068 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample