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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Something brings Santiago out of his reverie. What is it?
(a) The wind gets stronger.
(b) A dolphin jumps over his boat.
(c) The man-of-war bird lands on his boat.
(d) Something tugging at his line.

2. What vow does the old man make to the fish?
(a) That he will die there with the fish.
(b) That he will let the fish go after he pulls him up to the surface.
(c) That he will cut him loose if he does not jump out of the water.
(d) That he will kill him before the day is over.

3. What does Santiago mean when he says that he must think because that is all he has left?
(a) His thinking will help keep him awake after losing so much sleep.
(b) As long as he keeps on thinking, he knows he is still alive.
(c) Thinking will keep him from feeling lonely without the boy there to help him.
(d) He can only survive by using the intelligence he has that sharks do not have.

4. Santiago's respect for nature and the marlin he has on his line is profound. What does he think about the people who will eat the great fish?
(a) They will be more dignified than the marlin.
(b) They will receive some of the marlin's strength when they eat him.
(c) They will refuse to eat him.
(d) They are unworthy to eat him.

5. After eating the raw dolphin, what does the old man promise he will do in the future?
(a) Never eat on the boat again.
(b) Bring sandwiches.
(c) Rig up a stove on his skiff.
(d) Bring along salt and limes.

6. After killing the Mako shark, what is Santiago aware of as missing?
(a) The tradewinds.
(b) His casting net.
(c) His harpoon.
(d) The feeling in his left hand.

7. During the time Santiago had the marlin on his line, what does he think the marlin does not know?
(a) That there is a man on the other end of the line and the man is old.
(b) That it is possible for him to work the hook out of his mouth.
(c) That the boat is not just another big fish.
(d) That he has no chance to escape from the hook and line.

8. What is the boy's name?
(a) Jose.
(b) Manolin.
(c) Pedrico.
(d) Gabriel.

9. Why is Santiago so sure that the Yankees will win their next games?
(a) DiMaggio has recovered from his injury.
(b) They never need luck to win.
(c) They lost once and won't let it happen again.
(d) They have no serious competition in their last games.

10. How does Santiago imagine Joe DiMaggio would be able to do what he is doing with the marlin?
(a) Not so well except at clubbing the big fish to death.
(b) He couldn't do it at all because of his bone spur.
(c) He would get too tired because baseball games do not last for days.
(d) Better, because his is young and strong and his father was a fisherman.

11. What does the boy order for Santiago at the Terrace Cafe?
(a) A bag of ice to help bring down his fever.
(b) Two bottles of warm beer.
(c) Yellow rice and fried fish.
(d) Hot coffee with plenty of milk and sugar.

12. How did the old man know the marlin had turned eastward?
(a) The skiff began to go slower against the east wind.
(b) The eastern sea breezes grew stronger.
(c) The afternoon sun was on his back.
(d) His compass indicated the direction.

13. How does Santiago justify killing the shark?
(a) Respect for the marlin.
(b) Self-defense.
(c) Saving other lives.
(d) The reward money.

14. Why does the old man's boat move faster as he nears the land?
(a) The winds pick up.
(b) He is being carried by the Gulf Stream.
(c) There is little weight now on the side of his boat.
(d) Sharks are pushing it along.

15. What does the old man think he killed the fish for besides food and to keep himself alive?
(a) Revenge for all the fish he had lost.
(b) The lust for killing.
(c) Pride of being a fisherman.
(d) Throwing a big party for his friends.

Short Answer Questions

1. How long had Santiago gone without catching a fish?

2. What does Santiago imagine was the reason the fish finally jumped?

3. What does Santiago find in the dolphin's maw when he cuts it open?

4. What effect did his movement and the hot sun during the day have on Santiago?

5. How is he able to clean the dolphin?

(see the answer keys)

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