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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 can be found in Laredo that is of particular interest to the expedition party?
(a) A famous scientist and his laboratory.
(b) A famous church and its associated mission.
(c) A famous beach filled with starfishes and sea turtles.
(d) A famous restaurant known for its flapjacks.

2. How many of these sea creatures that interest him does Tiny catch?
(a) Two.
(b) Three.
(c) None.
(d) One.

3. What does the expedition party use instead of the tide chart to watch the rise and fall of the tides?
(a) Steinbeck's journal.
(b) Ricketts' compass.
(c) A marked stick.
(d) A sailor's watch.

4. What does the expedition party do differently on the morning of March 28?
(a) They have breakfast in bed.
(b) They have tea instead of coffee for breakfast.
(c) They have a late morning, waking up at nine am.
(d) They have omelettes, which they haven't had in days.

5. Why does Tony berates Tiny and Sparky?
(a) Tiny and Sparky eat all the food while everybody is asleep.
(b) The boat goes off-course while Tiny and Sparky are at the helm, causing Tony to berate them.
(c) Tony suddenly flares for no apparent reason.
(d) Because Tiny and Sparky accidentally drop some oil into Tony's shirt.

Short Answer Questions

1. After facing difficulties collecting specimens, what do Steinbeck and Ricketts do instead on Easter Sunday ?

2. What does Sparky accidentally do on April 3?

3. From his philosophical discussions, what does Steinbeck suddenly suggest?

4. What does the expedition party hear about Mulege which make it an undesirable destination?

5. What observation do Steinbeck and Ricketts have regarding the marine life in Coronado Island and Monterey Bay?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss Steinbeck's theory on how societal restrictions dictate what is acceptable behavior and what is not. What introduced this discussion?

2. In Marcial Point around noon on Easter Sunday, Steinbeck and Ricketts manage to catch a big, beautiful lobster despite the difficulties they have encountered. How do you think Steinbeck and Ricketts managed to catch this lobster? Speculate on the efforts of the team.

3. Sparky and Tiny are always anxious to spend some time in the towns, which they are unable to do in Santa Rosalia. Give probable reasons as to why the two are always looking forward to spending some time in the towns.

4. Describe the profile of the specimens the expedition party collects. Provide details about the group's interest in all of these specimens, as explained by Steinbeck himself.

5. Explain Steinbeck's theory on how man can improve himself and the human race if only he studies certain cycles in civilization.

6. Discuss Steinbeck's theory on how a harsh environment makes survivors out of its inhabitants, and how he came to this train of thought.

7. Provide a description to how Steinbeck, Ricketts and the crew do the labeling and sorting of their collected specimen.

8. Describe Steinbeck and Ricketts' encounter with the ranchers and vacationers, and their consequent big sheep-hunting expedition.

9. Briefly explain Steinbeck's thoughts about a place being friendly or unfriendly. What instances led him to these thoughts?

10. Near Guaymas, the crew feel a little contempt over the fact that the fishermen they see are too spotless in their white outfits. Explain briefly the circumstances and why the crew feel such contempt.

(see the answer keys)

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