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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. From his philosophical discussions, what does Steinbeck suddenly suggest?
(a) That they sail all day down an uncharted coastline toward their last planned stop, and anchor offshore as night falls.
(b) That they divide the specimen they have collected and return them all to sea.
(c) That they all try to write their ideas in the log so as to continue discussing it when back at home.
(d) That they find the next town and sell all the specimen they have collected.

2. How does Steinbeck see the history of the human race?
(a) It is a very logical and predictable progression.
(b) It is a series of bursts of nervous energy.
(c) It is not a linear progression, but as a series of bursts of nervous energy.
(d) It is totally unpredictable and without pattern.

3. How does the morning of March 31 affect the activities of the expedition party?
(a) Although it is low tide, the tide was quite high and the wind is up, making it difficult to collect onshore or underwater.
(b) There is a celebration in town and the expedition party is distracted and lured into attending the party.
(c) It is raining heavily which makes it impossible to collect anything on shore or underwater.
(d) There is a storm on the horizon which prompts the crew to leave earlier than planned.

4. On Easter Sunday, despite facing difficulties collecting specimens, Steinbeck and Ricketts are able to catch a significant marine life - what is it?
(a) A large, century old turtle.
(b) A shiny, white porpoise.
(c) A large, beautiful lobster.
(d) A small, printed seahorse.

5. What does Sparky accidentally do on April 3?
(a) He harpoons a stingray.
(b) He harpoons a dog.
(c) He harpoons a bat.
(d) He harpoons a cat.

6. What feeling does the expedition party have as they leave Angeles Bay?
(a) Everyone in the team feels that they have finally found the best place to conduct scientific experiments in Angeles Bay.
(b) The team members feel like their stay in Angeles Bay was cut short because of the presence of the Americans and Mexicans.
(c) The team members feel as if they belong in Angeles Bay and do not like to leave.
(d) Everybody on the team feels that they are interfering with some illicit activity.

7. How is Guaymas different from the other towns they have been in?
(a) Guaymas seems to be foucs on news, business and tourism.
(b) Guaymas does not ask for taxes from its visitors.
(c) Guaymas welcomes visitors to become resident
(d) Guaymas does not speak English.

8. Why does the crew forego stopping at Santa Rosalia?
(a) They are already pressed for time.
(b) There are several unfriendly locals in Santa Rosalia.
(c) There is not much to see in Santa Rosalia.
(d) Santa Rosalia asks for very steep visitors' taxes.

9. After facing difficulties collecting specimens, what do Steinbeck and Ricketts do instead on Easter Sunday ?
(a) They place a light near the surface of the water, and catch what the light attracts.
(b) They place a big basin just near the shore and catch whatever the tide brings in.
(c) Steinbeck and Ricketts hire several locals to do it for them.
(d) Tex, Tiny and Sparky are tasked to catch everything that comes ashore.

10. What are the freshwater species that are eaten locally, and collected by the expedition party on March 30?
(a) Milkfish and eel.
(b) Crabs and clams.
(c) Shrimps and catfish.
(d) Snails and scallops.

11. What is the best description for Santa Rosalia?
(a) It looks wonderful at night with all the many lights from the establishments that line up the shore.
(b) It looks all balck and gray from afar, which seems to signify that there is not much happening in the town.
(c) It has eight statues standing on shore, as if guarding the town from enemies.
(d) It is a mining town built by a French company, and looks very different from other towns they have seen.

12. Which statement best describes Puerto Refugio?
(a) It is a crime-infested town which is not highly recommended by locals.
(b) It is desolate and inhabited only by rattlesnakes.
(c) It is busy with a lot of tourists and vacationers.
(d) It is so solemn, with people walking with their heads bowed.

13. What is the best description for Angeles Bay?
(a) It is the last place where expedition party members can grab a few drinks before getting back to the boat.
(b) It is where several expedition parties meet up and exchange information.
(c) It is the last collecting stop of the expedition on the west side of the Gulf.
(d) It is a trading town where goods can be exchanged, sold and bought.

14. Which statement best describes the expedition team's reaction on the topic of going home?
(a) Tex and Tony want to stay while the rest want to go home.
(b) Only Tex and Tony are looking forward to going home, the rest want to stay.
(c) John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts want to stay to complete their expedition mission.
(d) The team wants to take several children from Guaymas with them.

15. What are the fishermen heading out to work complaining about early in the morning on April 8th?
(a) A noisy dog that scares all the fish away.
(b) A big sea vessel that kills all the sea turtles.
(c) A Japanese businessman who is buying all the fish at half the price.
(d) Some Japanese trawlers that are taking all the shrimp.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does everyone feel a bit gloomy on their return to the Gulf?

2. Why are Steinbeck and Ricketts delighted that the Indians will actually do the hunting?

3. What new species does the crew unsuccessfully try to collect in San Carlos Bay?

4. How does the expedition party feel about Puerto Refugio?

5. Which statement best describes the marine life in Puerto Escondido?

(see the answer keys)

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