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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which sea creature frightens Tiny?

2. Where does the boat sail next on March 30 after collecting freshwater species?

3. Which statement best describes Concepcion Bay, the expedition's next destination?

4. How is Guaymas different from the other towns they have been in?

5. What is the best description for Angeles Bay?

Short Essay Questions

1. This particular section when the expedition party are near Guaymas and see these spotless fishermen is dated Aprill 22, which proves to be erratic. Give probable explanations to the error in date.

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

3. Explain Steinbeck's thoughts on the wastage of food witnesses together with Ricketts on the Japanese dredge boats.

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

5. Describe how life in the Western Flyer becomes by the end of March. How does it chang compared when they first sailed to sea?

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. 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.

8. Describe Guardian Angel Island and how the crew takes to it. What were the feelings of the crew while they were on the island?

9. At the port city of Laredo, the members of the expedition team serve as merriment to the local girls. Speculate on the reasons on why this is so and give probable explanations to this happening.

10. It is mentioned that Tex is getting married and therefore should be watching his weight very keenly. Speculate on Tex's marriage. Why did he agree to sail even when he is getting married? Why can't he stay on a diet to look good on his wedding day?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Steinbeck and Ricketts ponder on the two types of biologists - those who study dead, preserved animals and those who study life in all its complexity. Compare the two types, identify the strengths and weaknesses of the two, and identify the situations where they will excel. What advantages will one have over the other? If you were to become a biologist, which type would you be? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Tex loves diesel engines and sees them as pure, logical, perfect mechanical entities. Is this love for diesel engines what made Tex become a mechanic or did Tex get to love diesel engines after being a mechanic and being exposed to them? Whether it is the former or the latter, what does this say about Tex? If it is the former, is Tex then a dreamer/romantic who pursues his ideals from his childhood? Or if it is the latter, is Tex then a logical person who sees the value in things and appreciates these values? How are these traits exhibited in the story? Whatever your answers are, please support them with instances in the story.

Essay Topic 3

One of Steinbeck's lamentations is over how a good hypothesis can blind a person to an alternative theory which can disprove it. What instances in the story support this theory of the author? What can be the reasons for this blindness? Are there any more observations made by the author that supports this theory?

(see the answer keys)

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