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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 assistance for the old man does the boy try to get?
(a) He tries to get a new sail for Santiago's boat.
(b) He tries to get better bait for Santiago.
(c) He tries to get his mother to make food for Santiago.
(d) He tries to get the boat he is now on to go far out near the old man.

2. What does the shadow of a passing airplane do on the surface of the sea?
(a) Makes the dolphins go away.
(b) Bounces like a basketball.
(c) Startles Santiago.
(d) Scares up a school of flying fish.

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

4. What tells Santiago that he is becoming unclear in the head?
(a) He thinks he has two fish on his line.
(b) He thinks he sees the fish turning green.
(c) He tells himself to let the fish go.
(d) He tells the fish to come and kill him.

5. What funny thing does Santiago say to himself after thinking about what he had not brought with him on this fishing trip?
(a) I caught the biggest fish ever but no one will believe it.
(b) If more sharks come and eat the rest of the fish, the boat will go faster.
(c) Imagine all that work just to feed the sharks.
(d) You give me much good counsel. I'm tired of it.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the old man do to prepare for the arrival of the shark?

2. What does the old man say he has to eat in his shack?

3. As the sun sets, what advantage does Santiago tell himself he has over the marlin?

4. What does the old man think about a cramp?

5. What does Santiago believe are in the sea?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the conflict intensify on the second night?

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

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

4. How does Santiago compare himself to the great sea turtles that are as big as a skiff and weigh a ton?

5. What is the bond between Santiago and the boy?

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

7. Describe the last moments that define the valor of the great marlin.

8. What is the metaphoric significance of the arm wrestling match in Casablanca?

9. Discuss the idea of luck in The Old Man and the Sea.

10. By nightfall, Santiago recognizes a change in direction. Explain how he knows that.

(see the answer keys)

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