View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When does the old man hoist his sail?
(a) When he could not row because of the fish at the side of the skiff.
(b) When it is time to return to the island.
(c) When he thought he heard an airplane.
(d) When the winds died down.

2. What does Santiago think might have caused the fish to jump so much?
(a) Just waking up.
(b) A school of dolphins.
(c) Needing more exercise.
(d) Hunger or fear.

3. Why does Santiago tell the fish not to jump?
(a) For fear that the hook will work itself loose.
(b) For fear that it will flood the boat.
(c) For fear that it will attract sharks.
(d) For fear that the line will have to be let out again.

4. What does Santiago believe are in the sea?
(a) Fish bigger than the marlin he caught.
(b) Sharks and seaweed.
(c) Mermaids and shells.
(d) Friends and enemies.

5. What does Hemingway mean when he says that the old man harpooned the shark with resolution and complete malignancy?
(a) The old man was dying of skin cancer.
(b) The old man was acting out of instinct.
(c) The old man was unsure of what to do.
(d) The old man was motivated by hate.

6. How does Santiago console himself after the first shark attack?
(a) That he was still alive.
(b) That the worst was over.
(c) That it was all a dream.
(d) That he had killed the shark.

7. When Santiago spots the shark, what does he know about the predator?
(a) It will not bother him if it is not hungry.
(b) It will try to knock him out of the boat.
(c) It has no fear and will do whatever it wants.
(d) It will not swim fast enough to catch the boat.

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

9. What disappointment does the old man feel because he has been out in his boat for days?
(a) He does not know the baseball game scores.
(b) He has not had a beer in two days.
(c) He cannot remember what the boy looks like.
(d) He has not been able to go to the cock fights.

10. When the marlin slows and is steady, Santiago finally gets some sleep. What does he dream of instead of lions?
(a) Arm wrestling with the marlin.
(b) A flight on a plane.
(c) A vast school of porpoises.
(d) Cutting his hand on the fishing line.

11. What does the old man think about a cramp?
(a) It is better than having to vomit.
(b) It humiliates oneself.
(c) It is something that goes away quickly.
(d) It will make him stop fishing.

12. As the sun sets, what advantage does Santiago tell himself he has over the marlin?
(a) Night time is easier for a man than for a fish.
(b) He has eaten but the marlin has not.
(c) On the surface, he can see the stars but the marlin cannot.
(d) He will be able to sleep but the marlin cannot.

13. Why do the sharks finally go away?
(a) They know the old man is dying.
(b) There is nothing left to eat on the marlin.
(c) They cannot see in the dark.
(d) Their heads hurt from the bat blows.

14. What happens after the old man harpoons the fish?
(a) The harpoon line breaks and the marlin gets away.
(b) It goes high into the air and comes back down, blinding Santiago with sea spray.
(c) The fish tries to jump into the boat with the old man.
(d) The marlin starts swimming fast and pulls the boat with him.

15. What is Santiago's plan as the fist keeps circling?
(a) To let out the line.
(b) To jump in to fight the fish.
(c) To let the boat turn around and around as the fish circles.
(d) To give the fish less and less line.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Hemingway use Joe DiMaggio's injury to show Santiago's limited education?

2. When do the sharks return after Santiago loses his makeshift harpoon?

3. As he heads home and stops to look back, what does Santiago see?

4. After eating the raw dolphin, what does the old man promise he will do in the future?

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 829 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample