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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. Why does Santiago decide to go farther out to sea than usual?
(a) He has never been far out before.
(b) He thinks big fish may be out where the schools of bonito and albacore stay.
(c) He thinks the nearer waters have been fished out.
(d) He wants to get away from other boats.

2. How many rows of teeth does the Mako shark have?
(a) Eight.
(b) Four.
(c) Two.
(d) Six.

3. How do we know the old man sleeps for a very long time?
(a) It is the next morning before he wakes up.
(b) The boy keeps thinking the old man has died.
(c) The old man talks all day in his sleep.
(d) The boy has to re-heat the coffee.

4. What does Santiago reply when the boy asks how much he suffered?
(a) Not much.
(b) Plenty.
(c) Only my hands.
(d) Not at all.

5. What does Santiago imagine was the reason the fish finally jumped?
(a) To show him how big he was.
(b) To see what manner of man he was fighting with.
(c) To see if the hook would fall out.
(d) To get some air.

Short Answer Questions

1. What two spots does Santiago hit on the first brown shark?

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

3. What does the old man think about to build up his courage as the sun sets on the second day?

4. How does Santiago imagine Joe DiMaggio would be able to do what he is doing with the marlin?

5. What does Santiago think there are people who are paid to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss the conflict of resolution between the old man and the fish.

2. Santiago recalls that he used to sing on the turtle boats, whereas now he talks out loud to himself. When does he think the talking began?

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

4. How does the man-of-war bird help Santiago catch an albacore?

5. It was noon when the old man hooked the fish and four hours later he thinks about something odd. What is it?

6. How does Santiago think about the night time conflict between himself and the great fish?

7. How does Hemingway use conversation between the old man and the boy to show Santiago's age?

8. How does Hemingway demonstrate Santiago's expertise as a sailor and fisherman?

9. It is now the next day and Santiago had brought no provisions for a meal at sea. What does he have to eat?

10. How does the old man utilize the power of positive thinking as he struggles with the huge marlin during the night?

(see the answer keys)

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