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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. Who is Tex?
(a) The mechanic of the crew.
(b) Ed Rickett's son.
(c) The leader of the four-string quartet hired for the expedition.
(d) John Steinbeck's son.

2. How are Tiny and Sparky presented?
(a) Tiny and Sparky are presented as two individuals who have no similarities or connection to each other.
(b) Tiny and Sparky are presented as similar to husband and wives, always looking after each other, and attending to each other's needs.
(c) Tiny and Sparky are presented almost as two halves of one person, seeming to always do the same things at the same time.
(d) Tiny and Sparky are presented as mortal enemies, always fighting each other and having opposing views.

3. Who is the chef of the expedition?
(a) There is no chef mentioned in the story.
(b) Tony.
(c) Sea-Cow.
(d) Tex.

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

5. Who is the newest team member that joins the expedition party on March 23?
(a) Ronald.
(b) No one.
(c) Frederick.
(d) Robert.

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens to the vessel during Tiny and Sparky's watch?

2. What examples of marine life does the expedition party collect in Espiritu Santo Island?

3. Where does the expedition team go the next morning, March 13?

4. Steinbeck worries about the soldiers' reaction to what during their travel?

5. What is taking place on the day before the expedition party leaves for its journey?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain Steinbeck's remark on the contrast between Tiny's reaction to the death of the sea turtle and that of a scientist's.

2. Briefly discuss Steinbeck and Ricketts' interaction with a boy named Raul and give possible reasons why they willingly went with him.

3. What difference does this particular expedition have over the other travels? Why is this so?

4. Briefly state the discussions made by Steinbeck and Ricketts on different ways of thinking, particularly looking at the society and the balance that is maintained all the time, as specified by their given example on employment.

5. Briefly discuss how Tony's personality is impressed upon the team members as they take turns manning the wheel.

6. Describe Steinbeck's theory on aphrodisiacs and how he encounters some in Cabo San Lucas.

7. Describe San Jose Island and how it appears to the expedition party. Give an explanation to the things that the party see when they try to go ashore in the island.

8. Briefly discuss the group's encounter when they try to have chicken for dinner. Can you give some rationale to the efforts the group went through just to have chicken for dinner?

9. Explain Steinbeck's theory on man's struggle for dominance. What is his theory on how one group never stays in power for a very long time?

10. What is the Log of Sea Cortez and why was it created?

(see the answer keys)

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