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

2. What happens when the shovel-nose shark comes and Santiago stabs it in the brain with his makeshift harpoon?
(a) At that moment the wind dies down.
(b) The knife comes untied from the oar.
(c) The shark almost pulls the old man overboard.
(d) The knife blade snaps off.

3. What makes the flying fish jump out of the water and scatter feverishly?
(a) A shark.
(b) The rising sun.
(c) Dolphins.
(d) The man-of-war bird circling overhead.

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

5. Because Santiago always wakes the boy every morning, what does the boy call him?
(a) My big problem.
(b) My morning visitor.
(c) My alarm clock.
(d) My tormentor.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Santiago's secret for deep sea fishing?

2. What does the old man conclude defeated him?

3. What does the old man imagine about the marlin if it had been alive?

4. What does Santiago mean when he thinks that man is not made for defeat?

5. What does Santiago suddenly realize he has been doing?

Short Essay Questions

1. Aside from the times that Santiago actually says, "I'm lonely", how does Hemingway emphasize that situation?

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

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

4. Explain the first indication that Santiago has that he has caught a very large fish, even though he has not seen it and does know know what kind of fish it is.

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

6. While sleeping in the boat, what are Santiago's dream like?

7. As the conflict between man and fish continues, what does Santiago contemplate to gain advantage for himself? Explain.

8. How do you know that Santiago only intended to fish for one day when he left to go far out into the sea?

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

10. Since the fish is too large to fit into the boat, how does Santiago plan on getting it back to shore?

(see the answer keys)

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