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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How do the ladies of Laredo react to the expedition party?
(a) They immediately offer to serve as their housekeepers, promising good food all the time.
(b) They sell many of their beadworks, telling them that the beads are rare and can only be found in Laredo.
(c) The expedition party serves as a source of merriment to the local girls, and the older women cannot stop giggling.
(d) They are offended that the expedition party is allowed to dock in Laredo.

2. Why are Steinbeck and Ricketts delighted that the Indians will actually do the hunting?
(a) Because they really do not want to kill anything.
(b) Because Indians are known to have very accurate shots and they would like to witness some.
(c) Because they befriend the Indians and feel safe beside them.
(d) Because they are fans of Indian hunters and they would like to see some in action.

3. What does Sparky collect to give to his friends back at home?
(a) Very beautiful starfish.
(b) Very beautiful oyster pearls.
(c) Very beautiful sand dollars.
(d) Very beautiful snail shells.

4. How can the crew's dining activities be best described?
(a) The party is eating mostly fish and biscuits, except when Sparky makes spaghetti.
(b) They eat rice and soup, which Sparky makes from the seaweed they have collected.
(c) They eat sandwiches day and night, and coffee to go with it.
(d) They refrain from eating fish since it reminds them too much of the species they have collected.

5. What does the expedition party see towards the end of April 22 as they sail south?
(a) Kids and mothers going to school.
(b) A group of artists with long hair and tattoos.
(c) Several dolphins and whales.
(d) Fishing boats from the town of Guaymas.

6. What does the expedition party hear about Mulege which make it an undesirable destination?
(a) That there are many poisonous fish in the water.
(b) That visitors are clubbed by unfriendly locals.
(c) That snakes litter the area.
(d) That the place has unfair port fees and malaria.

7. On Easter Sunday, despite facing difficulties collecting specimens, Steinbeck and Ricketts are able to catch a significant marine life - what is it?
(a) A large, century old turtle.
(b) A small, printed seahorse.
(c) A shiny, white porpoise.
(d) A large, beautiful lobster.

8. How does the expedition party feel about Puerto Refugio?
(a) They want to settle in Puerto Refugio.
(b) They want to skip going to Puerto Refugio.
(c) They wish that they can return someday to Puerto Refugio to explore it further.
(d) They cannot get out of Puerto Refugio fast enough.

9. What does the expedition party do in the morning of March 30?
(a) The party begins preparing for their journey back home.
(b) The party begins collecting because the tide is out.
(c) The party refuels and buys supplies.
(d) The party cleans all the kitchen dirt left the night before.

10. What does Sparky accidentally do on April 3?
(a) He harpoons a cat.
(b) He harpoons a stingray.
(c) He harpoons a bat.
(d) He harpoons a dog.

11. How does Steinbeck see the history of the human race?
(a) It is a very logical and predictable progression.
(b) It is a series of bursts of nervous energy.
(c) It is totally unpredictable and without pattern.
(d) It is not a linear progression, but as a series of bursts of nervous energy.

12. What new species does the crew unsuccessfully try to collect in San Carlos Bay?
(a) Sea urchins and eels.
(b) Sea horses and anemone fish.
(c) Sea snakes and star fish.
(d) Seaweed and sandhoppers.

13. How does the author describe the Mexicans and Americans that they meet in Angeles Bay?
(a) They are easily identifiable from the tattoo that they have on their arm.
(b) They claim to be friends of Tiny and Sparky and insisted on joining them.
(c) They all wear straw hats and Hawaiian shirts.
(d) They claim to be fishing but seem overly interested in what the expedition is doing and when they are leaving.

14. What remark does Steinbeck makes about cannibalism?
(a) That if other societal restrictions were removed, man might easily overcome any objection towards cannibalism.
(b) That cannibalism is overrated, and he has in fact once tried eating another human being.
(c) That in some cultures, cannibalism is accepted and therefore they should consider doing it as well.
(d) That if they stay at sea for another four weeks they might end up eating each other.

15. How does Steinbeck describe the environment and marine life that they find in Puerto Refugio?
(a) The high energy environment creates stronger and healthier species.
(b) The low energy environment provides a lot of nutrition for fish and other sea creatures.
(c) The high energy environment drives away all the marine life.
(d) The low energy environment attracts various forms of marine life.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which statement best describes Puerto Escondido?

2. After facing difficulties collecting specimens, what do Steinbeck and Ricketts do instead on Easter Sunday ?

3. Where is Puerto Refugio located?

4. What does the expedition party do differently on the morning of March 28?

5. Which statement best describes the marine life in Puerto Escondido?

(see the answer keys)

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