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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What concept is consistent throughout the book, including the section dated March 24?
(a) The concept that biology should be approached with an eye towards how each individual part fits into the larger whole of nature.
(b) The concept that war is something that should be looked at from an objective point of view, rather than subjective.
(c) The concept that safety should be the first priority in any travel, rather than adventure and mischiefs.
(d) The concept that men should set aside their differences when they are travelling at sea.

2. What does the expedition party do on their last night ashore when their boat is ready and loaded?
(a) They take part in the celebration games.
(b) They sleep early in preparation for the journey.
(c) They pray the rosary.
(d) They drink wine all night and play cards.

3. What is interesting about the bonito and other fish that caught Steinbeck and Ricketts' attention?
(a) They swim opposite the sea current.
(b) They swim in groups of twelve.
(c) They change their colors as the sun shines on them.
(d) Their colors are different from when they are alive to when they are dead and preserved.

4. What does the expedition party do on March 22, Good Friday?
(a) They put on their good clothes and go to services in an old church in La Paz.
(b) They stay on the boat, not wanting to create noise in the city.
(c) They spend the whole day with their relatives and friends whom they visited in La Paz.
(d) They sell their collection to those who are interested.

5. What does Tex find out about the skiff's outboard motor?
(a) It is already falling apart and as such can no longer be used.
(b) It runs perfectly when placed in water on board, but not in the actual ocean.
(c) It runs perfectly when sprinkled with salt first prior to starting.
(d) It runs perfectly when there is no one aboard the ship.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What does Steinbeck think about the various descriptions they have read of Cabo San Lucas?

3. What does Steinbeck say about the authors of the descriptions written about Cabo San Lucas?

4. What do the Mexican officials do with the expedition party?

5. How does Tex see diesel engines?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain Steinbeck's theory on man's struggle for dominance. What is his theory on how one group never stays in power for a very long time?

2. Describe Steinbeck's theory on aphrodisiacs and how he encounters some in Cabo San Lucas.

3. Steinbeck notices two men and a woman in Cabo San Lucas, paddling their canoe to the boat to do a little talking. He remarks that the indigenous people's sense of time is different from theirs. Describe the group that Steinbeck encounters, and what about their appearance invites such remarks from Steinbeck?

4. Briefly explain Steinbeck's theory on "murdering" a boat.

5. What is the Log of Sea Cortez and why was it created?

6. What are Steinbeck's thoughts on his expedition compared to those of Charles Darwin? What are the similarities and differences?

7. Describe Tiny's encounter with a sea turtle.

8. What are the recordings in The Log from the Sea of Cortez? Enumerate as many as you can.

9. Describe San Jose Island and how it appears to the expedition party. Give an explanation to the things that the party see when they try to go ashore in the island.

10. Briefly explain how Steinbeck explains teleological and non-teleological thinking. Relate the two on the previous discussion about employment and unemployment.

(see the answer keys)

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