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

2. How many of these sea creatures that interest him does Tiny catch?

3. Where in Puerto Refugio does the expedition party collect specimens?

4. Why does Tony berates Tiny and Sparky?

5. Why is the tide chart no longer usable?

Short Essay Questions

1. This particular section when the expedition party are near Guaymas and see these spotless fishermen is dated Aprill 22, which proves to be erratic. Give probable explanations to the error in date.

2. Discuss Steinbeck's theory on how a harsh environment makes survivors out of its inhabitants, and how he came to this train of thought.

3. Sparky and Tiny are always anxious to spend some time in the towns, which they are unable to do in Santa Rosalia. Give probable reasons as to why the two are always looking forward to spending some time in the towns.

4. Describe how life in the Western Flyer becomes by the end of March. How does it chang compared when they first sailed to sea?

5. Describe the strange experience the group has with the Americans and the Mexicans they encounter in Angeles Bay.

6. How do the members of the expedition party pass the night of March 29? What discussions are happening and what are the revelations of this night?

7. Describe the profile of the specimens the expedition party collects. Provide details about the group's interest in all of these specimens, as explained by Steinbeck himself.

8. Explain Steinbeck's thoughts on the wastage of food witnesses together with Ricketts on the Japanese dredge boats.

9. In Marcial Point around noon on Easter Sunday, Steinbeck and Ricketts manage to catch a big, beautiful lobster despite the difficulties they have encountered. How do you think Steinbeck and Ricketts managed to catch this lobster? Speculate on the efforts of the team.

10. Describe Guardian Angel Island and how the crew takes to it. What were the feelings of the crew while they were on the island?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of Steinbeck's lamentations is over how a good hypothesis can blind a person to an alternative theory which can disprove it. What instances in the story support this theory of the author? What can be the reasons for this blindness? Are there any more observations made by the author that supports this theory?

Essay Topic 2

Steinbeck uses many graphic comparisons in the book, such as the personification of a boat by man, the personification of the marine life, among others. Do you agree with Steinbeck's analogy? Why or why not? What other analogies can be used to describe the author's many observations in the story?

Essay Topic 3

Steinbeck describes how a certain task such as collecting specimen can seem to be so enjoyable and exciting in the beginning, and later turn boring simply because the one performing the task has been at it for a long time. What can be the cause of this change? Is it really man's nature to be "mechanical" over time? Why or why not? Support your answer with instances from the story.

(see the answer keys)

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