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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does the life on the boat change as they get nearer the Sea of Cortez?
(a) It becomes too strained, members of the team stop talking to each other.
(b) It becomes rowdy, and there are fights among the team members almost every day.
(c) It becomes casual, and almost everyone is wearing only hats and shorts.
(d) It becomes very relaxed, team members do not want to go on shore anymore to collect specimen.

2. What is the best description for Santa Rosalia?
(a) It is a mining town built by a French company, and looks very different from other towns they have seen.
(b) It looks all balck and gray from afar, which seems to signify that there is not much happening in the town.
(c) It looks wonderful at night with all the many lights from the establishments that line up the shore.
(d) It has eight statues standing on shore, as if guarding the town from enemies.

3. Where is Puerto Refugio located?
(a) Along the northern part of San Diego Bay.
(b) Along the east coast of Guardian Angel Island.
(c) On the east coast of Magdalena Bay.
(d) Near the Sea of Cortez, just south of the island.

4. What does the expedition party do differently on the morning of March 28?
(a) They have a late morning, waking up at nine am.
(b) They have omelettes, which they haven't had in days.
(c) They have breakfast in bed.
(d) They have tea instead of coffee for breakfast.

5. Which statement best describes Puerto Refugio?
(a) It is so solemn, with people walking with their heads bowed.
(b) It is a crime-infested town which is not highly recommended by locals.
(c) It is busy with a lot of tourists and vacationers.
(d) It is desolate and inhabited only by rattlesnakes.

6. Why does everyone decide to put Tex on a diet?
(a) Because he has not been doing his share of chores.
(b) Because he is getting married when they return, and he has been gaining weight on the voyage.
(c) Because he eats all the food in the journey, and there is not enough for the whole crew.
(d) Because he has eaten the most in the last four weeks of the voyage.

7. How does the morning of March 31 affect the activities of the expedition party?
(a) Although it is low tide, the tide was quite high and the wind is up, making it difficult to collect onshore or underwater.
(b) It is raining heavily which makes it impossible to collect anything on shore or underwater.
(c) There is a celebration in town and the expedition party is distracted and lured into attending the party.
(d) There is a storm on the horizon which prompts the crew to leave earlier than planned.

8. How many of these sea creatures that interest him does Tiny catch?
(a) None.
(b) Two.
(c) One.
(d) Three.

9. What do the coastal Indians whom Steinbeck and Ricketts met in Puerto Escondido do?
(a) They sell pineapples, mangoes, apples and lemon.
(b) They sell sea scallops, clams, pearl oysters and conchs.
(c) They sell shirts, pants, towels and some apron.
(d) They sell shampoo, lotion, soap and toothpaste.

10. When the sea is very smooth, what does the crew do to take advantage of the calm seas?
(a) They label and sort their collection.
(b) They play a game of hockey.
(c) They cook omelette which is very hard to cook perfectly on a rough sea,
(d) They iron their clothes.

11. What is the most important gift that the Sea of Cortez gives the expedition party, according to Steinbeck?
(a) Three huge, beautiful pearls they have found on the shore.
(b) A way of seeing life, time and beauty that is different from those they have previously experienced.
(c) The new language that they have learned to speak, as used in Guaymas.
(d) The ability to predict the tides, which will come handy for sea travellers like them.

12. What is the best description for Angeles Bay?
(a) It is where several expedition parties meet up and exchange information.
(b) It is the last collecting stop of the expedition on the west side of the Gulf.
(c) It is a trading town where goods can be exchanged, sold and bought.
(d) It is the last place where expedition party members can grab a few drinks before getting back to the boat.

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

14. How long does Tex suffer through the diet exercise?
(a) Three days.
(b) The rest of the trip.
(c) Five days.
(d) A week.

15. How does the expedition party scare the shark that was circling their their boat?
(a) They scare it with a pistol shot.
(b) They scare it by throwing sticks at it.
(c) They scare it by playing loud music.
(d) They scare it by throwing some soiled shirts to the sea.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does the author describe the call of the doves?

2. What particular sea creature interests Tiny on their way to Estero de la Luna?

3. What does the party find in Angeles Bay?

4. What are the fishermen heading out to work complaining about early in the morning on April 8th?

5. What observations does Steinbeck note as the party sails on to the Sea of Cortez?

(see the answer keys)

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