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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How thick is the line the old man uses to catch big fish?

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

3. What does the marlin do as the sun rises on the third day?

4. What does Santiago believe are in the sea?

5. How do the brown sharks attack the old man's fish?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Discuss how Hemingway uses the man-of-war bird, the dolphins, and the flying fish to explain the nature of life in the sea.

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

4. Explain the meaning of the statement that Santiago loved the lions in his dreams like he loved the boy.

5. What indicates that Santiago has no idea of catching the largest marlin ever landed in those waters?

6. When the big fish first takes the bait, the old man thought about what he was sure the fish would do but he did not say it out loud. Why?

7. Why was it simple for Santiago to defeat the Negro of Cienfuegas when they had a rematch in the spring?

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

9. What is the literary purpose of references to Joe DiMaggio in the story?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay about the importance of knowing what you are up against in any conflict. In the essay explain how it helped Santiago to see his fish.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay about Santiago's opinion of himself that he is a strange old man and must prove it.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about how people turn to religion when times are difficult.

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