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

2. What is the best description for Santa Rosalia?

3. Who heads ashore to do some collecting in Agiabampo estuary?

4. What does the party find in Angeles Bay?

5. How does the expedition party scare the shark that was circling their their boat?

Short Essay Questions

1. Santa Rosalia is described as much different from the other towns they have seen. What could have been in Santa Rosalia that makes it so different from the others?

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

3. 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.

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

5. 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.

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

7. Tiny harpoons stingrays at the island of Tiburon. Give probable explanations to Tiny's seemingly attachment to harpoons. Cite specific examples in the book to support this explanation.

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

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

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

In most of the Western Flyer's stops, they invariably attract attention from the local people. How does the expedition party look at this attention? Is it helpful, a welcome respite from the otherwise monotonous life at sea? Or is it a nuisance, an unnecessary distraction that detains them from doing other, more productive activities? Support your answers with specific examples from the book.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,480 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample