A STEP BEYOND

TESTS AND ANSWERS

TEST 2

_____ 1. Catching the big fish was the old man's way of

A. proving that he was a man
B. replying to his critics
C. destroying the hex that was upon him
D. being the "Spanish Captain Ahab"
E. cementing the boy's friendship

_____ 2. Santiago had won the name of Champion as a result of his skill in

A. baseball
B. riding thoroughbred horses
C. roping calves in Santurce
D. Arm wrestling
E. training dolphins

_____ 3. The old man believed

I. there was no one worthy of eating his big fish
II. that the fish was his friend
III. that the fish was as old as he was

A. I and II only
B. I and III only
C. II and III only
D. III only
E. I, II, and III

_____ 4. The old man killed the big fish

A. by smashing him with his oar
B. with a harpoon in his side
C. by denying him food for several days
D. with a bullet through the brain
E. by severing his spine

_____ 5. The turning point of the story may be detected in the following line:

A. "I must never let him know his strength."
B. "Perhaps I should not have been a fisherman."
C. "It was an hour before the first shark hit him."
D. "I am still an old man. But I am not unarmed."
E. "Que va, it is what a man must do."

_____ 6. When his fish was being attacked, the old man

I. killed the first few sharks
II. lost his harpoon and rope
III. felt as though he himself had been hit

A. I only
B. II only
C. III only
D. I and II only
E. I, II, and III

_____ 7. Santiago said all of the following, except

A. "But man is not made for defeat."
B. "I think the great DiMaggio would be proud of me today."
C. "Pain does not matter to a man."
D. "Perhaps it was a sin to kill the fish."
E. "This day will make me or break me."

_____ 8. The old man became convinced that he had killed the big fish

A. for pride
B. to keep alive and to sell for food
C. to keep from going mad
D. as his gift to God
E. to help the sharks survive

_____ 9. Santiago regretted

A. having gone out too far
B. having become a fisherman
C. not having become a major league shortstop
D. not returning to the cheers of the townspeople
E. ever having seen the big fish

_____ 10. Hemingway's closing line of the novel is

A. "The pity of it all."
B. "The old man was dreaming about the lions"
C. "Bloody but not bowed."
D. "Tomorrow he would catch up on the American League scores."
E. "We will fish together, you have much to learn"

11. Explain the significance of the sea in the story.

12. Is Santiago a tragic character? Explain.

13. List the principal elements of the story pattern.

14. Project possibilities for the future, based on evidence from the story.

15. Is the story an allegory or a fable?Discuss.

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