CliffsNotes on

The Old Man and the Sea

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About the Author

Early Years
Experiences and Literary Achievements

About the Novella

Introduction
A Brief Synopsis
List of Characters
Character Map

Summaries and Commentaries

Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four

Character Analyses

Santiago
Manolin
Marlin

Critical Essays

Hemingway’s Style
Themes in the Novella
Foundations of Behavior

Study Help

Quiz
Essay Questions
Practice Projects

Cite this Literature Note

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Study Help

Quiz

1:  As the novel opens, Santiago has not caught a fish for how many days?

a. 5

b. 12

c. 84

d. 100
2:  Manolin’s parents don’t want him to fish with old man because he is “salao” or

a. a non-native

b. unlucky

c. aggressive

d. untidy
3:  Why is Manolin particularly devoted to Santiago?

a. Because Santiago taught him how to fish

b. Because Santiago lent him money

c. Because Santiago is really his father

d. Because he thinks he can take advantage of Santiago
4:  What baseball player does Santiago idolize?

a. Ty Cobb

b. Lou Gehrig

c. Joe DiMaggio

d. Babe Ruth
5:  What type of fish does Santiago catch?

a. A mackerel

b. A tuna

c. A swordfish

d. A marlin
6:  How does Santiago feel about the fish that he is doing battle with?

a. He has sympathy and a strange appreciation for it

b. He loathes it and curses it

c. He sees it simply as food

d. He is frustrated and curses its ability to cause him so much pain
7:  The story takes place in and off the coast of

a. Haiti

b. California

c. Florida

d. Cuba
8:  What happens to the fish that Santiago kills?

a. It is devoured by sharks as he brings it in

b. It is brought to land and a feast is prepared to consume it

c. Santiago hangs it as a trophy on his wall

d. Santiago gives it to Manolin as a sign of friendship
9:  How much money does Santiago feel the fish might be worth?

a. 300 dollars

b. 1,500 dollars

c. 50 dollars

d. 100 dollars
10:  Which of the following does Santiago dream about?

a. Eating the fish

b. Lions on the beach

c. Soldiers fighting

d. Getting a bigger boat
11:  The most pathetic and tragic moment in the novel occurs when Santiago stops for a moment, looks back, and sees

a. The great tail of the fish

b. Manolin, alone on the beach

c. His fishing boat

d. His shack on the hill
12:  Santiago is compared with which religious figure?

a. Christ

b. Buddha

c. Muhammad

d. Krishna



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