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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 examples of marine life does the expedition party collect in Espiritu Santo Island?
(a) Sea cucumbers and brittle-stars.
(b) Anemone fish and tadpoles.
(c) Starfishes and seahorses.
(d) Porpoises and sea turtles.

2. Why does the crew prefer to catch and eat any other fish than the porpoises?
(a) Because porpoises were known to have high levels of salt, which was not advisable for someone sailing at sea.
(b) Because porpoises make the crew sleepy, making them unable to steer the boat properly.
(c) Because the propoises were poisonous.
(d) According to Steinbeck, it was probably because the porpoises were too human-like.

3. What is The Log from the Sea of Cortez?
(a) It is the wood sold out by the expedition party to several cities in Mexico.
(b) It is a very special wood found by John Steinbeck and his close friend, Ed Ricketts when they went to Cortez.
(c) It is the journal describing the marino biology expedition carried out by John Steinbeck and his close friend, Ed Ricketts.
(d) It is a seaman's book they found on the Sea of Cortez which contains important information on marine biology.

4. What does Steinbeck say about the authors of the descriptions written about Cabo San Lucas?
(a) Each description is just a copycat of the earlier description published about 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 shows the biases of the author, depending on whether or not they liked their visit to the place.

5. How many crew members are signed on for the expedition?
(a) Four.
(b) One.
(c) Two.
(d) Three.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What type of biologist is preferred by John Steinbeck?

3. What does Steinbeck notice about the sense of time of the local people of Cabo San Lucas?

4. What does Tex find out about the skiff's outboard motor?

5. What is the Western Flyer?

Short Essay Questions

1. What difference does this particular expedition have over the other travels? Why is this so?

2. Tiny and Sparky are described as almost two halves of one person. Make some speculations on their appearance and characters in general.

3. Briefly discuss Steinbeck's theory on the complications of western systems compared to the simplicity of some other cultures, such as the Indians'.

4. Describe the activities of the expedition party on the eve of their departure. Speculate on the feelings of the team members on this particular night.

5. The expedition party reaches the town of San Lucas. Describe the town as mentioned by Steinbeck, and add your own theories on how the town looks and feels like.

6. Briefly discuss how Tony's personality is impressed upon the team members as they take turns manning the wheel.

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

8. 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?

9. Describe the Sea-Cow and how did it get its name? How does the expedition party relate to it? Does the expedition party treat the Sea-Cow fairly?

10. Describe the members of the expedition team and their vehicle.

(see the answer keys)

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