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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What shows up that the old man thinks of as a friend to talk to?a
(a) A sea turtle.
(b) A flying fish.
(c) A warbler.
(d) An albacore.

2. What happens to make the old man forget his aches and pains?
(a) A storm comes up.
(b) There is a beautiful sunrise.
(c) The great fish surfaces.
(d) His line breaks.

3. What does Santiago wish he could show the fish?
(a) What manner of man the fish was up against.
(b) How his hand was cramped.
(c) How many fathoms of line he had in the boat.
(d) His club he would use to kill the fish.

4. 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) Cutting his hand on the fishing line.
(c) A vast school of porpoises.
(d) A flight on a plane.

5. Santiago recalls catching marlin that weighed over a thousand pounds. Why is this time different?
(a) Before he was in a much larger boat.
(b) Before he always had someone to help him.
(c) This time the fish shows no signs of tiring.
(d) This time he has only a small casting net with him.

Short Answer Questions

1. How long had their last dry spell lasted before the old man and the boy caught some good fish?

2. Why doesn't Santiago put the marlin into his boat?

3. Why does Santiago think he may have to fight again before he reaches Havana?

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

5. What kind of sharks came the second time?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the scene that shows the good nature and high character of Santiago.

2. Describe the relationship between Manolin and Santiago.

3. Santiago does not consider himself to be religious, but what happens to show that he was at one time before?

4. Why can the old man not let go of the line as the big fish tows his skiff farther out to sea?

5. After the marlin jumps during the night, there is a lull. What does it allow Santiago to do?

6. Show how Hemingway uses the literary form of personification as Santiago thinks about the great fish he has hooked.

7. Describe Santiago's first sighting of the marlin.

8. Identify a few passages in the story that indicate the pride of Santiago.

9. Describe the conditions during the first night after Santiago caught the big fish.

10. Relate the speech the boy makes to show his estimation of Santiago as a fisherman.

(see the answer keys)

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