View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What brings Santiago awake suddenly in the night?
(a) Another plane flies over at a low altitude.
(b) It starts to rain.
(c) The smell of the leftover raw fish.
(d) The marlin is jumping again and again out of the sea.

2. What does the old man fear since the shark had taken about forty pounds of flesh off the marlin?
(a) That he would not win a prize for catching the largest marlin.
(b) That fishermen would say he found the marlin dead and floating in the water.
(c) That there would soon be other sharks.
(d) That people would think he had eaten part of his catch.

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

4. When do the sharks return after Santiago loses his makeshift harpoon?
(a) Immediately after he ran them off the first time.
(b) Early the next morning.
(c) Just before sunset.
(d) Just after dark.

5. How thick is the line the old man uses to catch big fish?
(a) As big around as a pencil.
(b) Very small but strong.
(c) A big around as his thumb.
(d) About as thick as an oar handle.

6. Why does Santiago wish the marlin would sleep?
(a) So he could slowly pull the marlin in.
(b) So he could get up and walk around.
(c) So he could sleep and dream of lions.
(d) So he could catch his supper.

7. What amazes Santiago as the boy talks about their first fishing trip?
(a) That the boy has forgotten how big the fish was.
(b) That so many years have passed since that time.
(c) That the boy cannot remember one thing about the trip.
(d) That the boy remembers everything so vividly.

8. Speaking out loud, what does Santiago say to the big fish on his line?
(a) I'll stay with you until I'm dead!
(b) Fish, aren't you getting tired yet?
(c) Come on up and let me get a good look at you!
(d) For heaven's sake, turn around and go the other way.

9. What indicates the old man's pride?
(a) At first refusing to eat what the boy has brought him.
(b) He always wears a new shirt.
(c) Shame at not having enough yellow rice and fish to share with the boy.
(d) His shame at having such a patched up sail.

10. What does the old man speculate he could use to buy good luck?
(a) Another 84 days of bad luck.
(b) The glow of the city lights on the shore.
(c) A lost harpoon, a broken knife, and two bad hands.
(d) The bones of the marlin.

11. What is the boy's reaction when the proprietor of the Terrace compliments his catch the day before?
(a) He says to stop talking or it will bring him bad luck.
(b) He says the proprietor should see what the old man caught.
(c) He says to damn his fish and starts crying again.
(d) He says to tell people to go visit the old man.

12. What does Santiago find in the dolphin's maw when he cuts it open?
(a) Two flying fish.
(b) A small turtle.
(c) A fish hook.
(d) A piece of the marlin's tail.

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

14. What kind of sharks came the second time?
(a) Hammer head sharks.
(b) Shovel-nosed sharks.
(c) Great white sharks.
(d) Yellow sharks.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Santiago plan to do to change his luck?

2. What disappointment does the old man feel because he has been out in his boat for days?

3. What does the shadow of a passing airplane do on the surface of the sea?

4. What shows up that the old man thinks of as a friend to talk to?a

5. What funny thing does Santiago say to himself after thinking about what he had not brought with him on this fishing trip?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 847 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample