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

2. Where does the expedition party sail next on Easter Sunday?

3. On Easter Sunday, despite facing difficulties collecting specimens, Steinbeck and Ricketts are able to catch a significant marine life - what is it?

4. What remark does Steinbeck makes about cannibalism?

5. How does the expedition party react to the news they have heard in Guaymas?

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

3. Steinbeck and Ricketts willingly accept the offer to go on a big sheep-hunting expedition even though it is apparent that they do not have the desires to hunt any creature. Give a probable explanation as to why the two readily agreed to the invitation in the first place.

4. 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?

5. Discuss the theories and examples presented by members of the expedition team on how persistence of beliefs of mind can overcome actual reality.

6. 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?

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

8. 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.

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

10. 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.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Tony, the captain, loves the rightness of all things and abhors wrongness. Do you subscribe to his beliefs, or do you think Tony is an unrealistic idealist? Cite specific examples in the book when Tony's beliefs became helpful. Cite also specific examples in the book when Tony's beliefs did more harm than good.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Steinbeck makes some comments on the different reactions a scientist and a layman has on death. Expound this comment further. Describe the two reactions, define the uniqueness of each. What are the differences these two reactions will have? Do you think there will be times when a layman will have the same reaction as a scientist has, and vice versa? Why or why not? Cite several examples from the story.

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This section contains 1,560 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample