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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the expedition party do on their first night at sea?
(a) They stay out to look at the stars while taking turns on the helm.
(b) They sing love songs and read poems to the stars.
(c) They identify the different constellation and gave a price on who can name the most.
(d) They play cards while drinking beer.

2. What difficulty does the expedition party encounter when they were collecting specimen in Cabo San Lucas?
(a) Collecting specimens is difficult due to the unique characteristics of the species such as the posionous spines of the worms which was hazardous to the activity.
(b) The local policemen require that each should have driver's license, which Steinbeck and Ricketts do not have.
(c) The local officials do not want them to take anything away, and suggest instead that they study the specimen while they are ashore.
(d) The locals do not want them to go ashore which make collecting specimen an impossibility.

3. What scientific testing does Steinbeck intend to do on the liquor?
(a) Determine if the aphrodisiac liquor really works.
(b) Determine if his crew can drink the liquor instead of the water for two weeks.
(c) Determine if the liquor can really substitute the engine fuel.
(d) Test if the seawater will work well with the liquor.

4. What do Tiny and Sparky do while they are on watch?
(a) Tiny plays the guitar while Sparky sings.
(b) They play card games, making the boat sail the wrong way.
(c) They pay more attention to fishing than to the sailing of the ship.
(d) They take turns scratching each other's back.

5. What is the topic of the discussion Steinbeck gives to the crowd waiting for them when they returned to their boat, anchored on the shores of La Paz?
(a) The different types of biologists.
(b) The use of harpoons and knives in collecting marine specimen.
(c) The different classification of outboard motors.
(d) The various fish of the puffer family.

6. What is the author's description of Espiritu Santo Island?
(a) It is an area that is just starting its tourism industry, as such has still low prices for food and lodgings.
(b) It is an area that is highly commercialized, and almost all wares can be found.
(c) It is an area with very colorful cottages which serves as resting place for travelers.
(d) It is an area with sandy beaches and large rocks resting on the sand, under which there may be some interesting creatures.

7. What do Steinbeck and Ricketts do on Easter Sunday?
(a) They spend the day collecting specimen of rare species.
(b) They spend the day swimming, wading and admiring the beauty of the island.
(c) They spend the day interviewing applicants to join them.
(d) They spend the day bargaining for the new outboard motor with the local shop.

8. What are dry-balls?
(a) They are the dried coconut husks used by the local children to play ball.
(b) They are the biologists who study dead, preserved animals.
(c) They are the medicines given to the expedition party by the locals.
(d) They are the dried cotton balls brought to sea as part of the medicine kit.

9. What happens to the outboard motor on Black Saturday, March 23?
(a) It does not help them approach the island.
(b) It chug-chugs noisily before breaking apart.
(c) It was stuck by some piece of shirt and can no longer be used.
(d) It falls apart and refused to run again.

10. How does Steinbeck describe a scientist's reaction to death of a sea creature?
(a) He describes the scientist's approach to the experience as someone finally climbing a mountain that is so hard to climb.
(b) He describes the scientist's approach to the experience as an opportunity to learn more about the species.
(c) He describes the scientist's approach to the experience as an exciting adventure.
(d) He describes the scientist's approach to the experience as a child getting the toy that he wished for.

11. According to John Steinbeck, what does a rusting, disorderly boat with its pain peeling off indicate?
(a) That the owner is most likely fond of changing clothes during the day.
(b) That the owner is most likely afraid of needles and injections.
(c) That the owner is most likely equally disheveled and careless.
(d) That the owner is most likely a very old man with some memory loss.

12. What is the duration covered by the story?
(a) March 20 to April 11, 1940.
(b) March 11 to April 20, 1940.
(c) April 11 to May 20, 1940.
(d) April 20, 1940 to March 11, 1941.

13. There is a struggle for scraps and morsels of food.Who are the participants in the struggle?
(a) The local boys in the area.
(b) The Indians in the area.
(c) Wild pigs, vultures and dogs.
(d) Tiny and Sparky.

14. What do Indians do in Espiritu Santo Island?
(a) They maintain a market where travelers can sell the items they collected at sea.
(b) They come to visit in a dugout canoe, stay long into the night to drink, tell stories, and discuss politics.
(c) They maintain several stores which sell supplies to sea travelers.
(d) They own and operate several restaurants where sea travelers usually take their meal before sailing out to sea.

15. Why does the author rant about the outboard motor?
(a) Because it is very noisy.
(b) Because it has brought them much hardship during the expedition.
(c) Because its appearance is not attractive.
(d) Because it has a foul odor.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the author describe in the story, particularly at the beginning of the book?

2. What are the two types of biologists, as discussed by John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts?

3. How does Steinbeck compare navigation at sea to life?

4. What are John Steinbeck's lamentations about?

5. Who is the most competent in commanding the wheel?

(see the answer keys)

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