Print
Word
PDF
|
| Name: _________________________ | Period: ___________________ |
This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. What is the topic of the discussion Steinbeck gives to the crowd waiting for them when they returned to their boat, anchored on the shores of La Paz?
2. Why does the crew prefer to catch and eat any other fish than the porpoises?
3. Why are the particular dates chosen for an expedition?
4. Steinbeck worries about the soldiers' reaction to what during their travel?
5. What does Steinbeck think about the various descriptions they have read of Cabo San Lucas?
Short Essay Questions
1. Briefly discuss the group's encounter when they try to have chicken for dinner. Can you give some rationale to the efforts the group went through just to have chicken for dinner?
2. 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.
3. What observation does Steinbeck make regarding boats and their owners? Cite a particular example of this observation.
4. Steinbeck hints at Tiny's stories of his past as being too racy to be repeated in the book. Speculate on Tiny's past. What could his stories be about and why can't it be repeated in the book?
5. Describe Tiny's encounter with a sea turtle.
6. Describe Steinbeck's theory on aphrodisiacs and how he encounters some in Cabo San Lucas.
7. Tiny and Sparky are described as almost two halves of one person. Make some speculations on their appearance and characters in general.
8. Briefly discuss Steinbeck's theory on the complications of western systems compared to the simplicity of some other cultures, such as the Indians'.
9. Explain Steinbeck's remark on the contrast between Tiny's reaction to the death of the sea turtle and that of a scientist's.
10. Describe Tony and make some assumptions on the way he looks.
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Steinbeck describes how a certain task such as collecting specimen can seem to be so enjoyable and exciting in the beginning, and later turn boring simply because the one performing the task has been at it for a long time. What can be the cause of this change? Is it really man's nature to be "mechanical" over time? Why or why not? Support your answer with instances from the story.
Essay Topic 2
Steinbeck makes the observation that not having clear aims coupled with the continued need or want for more, leads to apparent useless pastimes such as sports and games. Do you agree or disagree to this observation? Be sure to support your position with specific instances from the story.
Essay Topic 3
The Log from the Sea of Cortez is meant as a document to help future sea travelers. Instead it contains many discussions on philosophy, life, politics, war, among others. Do you think it would help if the author and the log if an outline was prescribed, or a guide as to what should be written down and how it should be presented? In short, what are the improvements that can be made to the Log from the Sea of Cortez to make it more faithful to its original objective, which is to help sea travelers with their voyage?
|
This section contains 1,522 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) |
|
