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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. How is the team's photography effort described in general?

2. What new species does the crew unsuccessfully try to collect in San Carlos Bay?

3. Which statement best describes Puerto Escondido?

4. Why does Tony berates Tiny and Sparky?

5. Why does the crew forego stopping at Santa Rosalia?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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.

2. How do the members of the expedition party pass the night of March 29? What discussions are happening and what are the revelations of this night?

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

4. 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.

5. Discuss on Steinbeck's theory on how relaxation and laziness can lead to greater productivity.

6. 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.

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

8. When the group is discussing the activities of the Japanese dredge boats and trawlers, Steinbeck contradicts himself from his earlier position on food wastage. What is Steinbeck's new position on the food wastage?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

Explain the concept of teleological and non-teleological thinking in your own words. Cite specific instances in the book when a particular character has displayed either of the two types of thought. Give examples of the two types of thought in religion, politics, child-rearing, and even health.

(see the answer keys)

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