The old man and the sea
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This set of American Literature Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on The old man and the sea
Q1 | How does Hemingway describe Santiago’s eyes?
- they are full of pain
- they are filled with defeat
- they betray the weariness of defeat
- they are the color of the sea
Q2 | .Who is Santiago’s only friend?
- Manolin
- Joe Di Maggio
- Harry Truman
- Allan Poe
Q3 | What hangs on the wall of the old man’s shack?
- Picture of his diseased mother.
- His fishing equiptment.
- Skeleton of a fish he caught.
- Pictures of sacred Heart of Jesus and another of Virgin of cobre.
Q4 | Why does Santiago not let his lines drift like the other fishermen?
- He is a stubborn man who prefers the old-fashioned way of fishing.
- It is dangerous, as he might become tangled with another boat.
- He is no longer young or strong enough to control a dri>ing line.
- He believes it is imprecise, and he strives always to be exact.
Q5 | During his great struggle with the marlin, what does Santiago wish repeatedly?
- He wishes he were younger.
- He wishes for better equipment.
- He wishes that the fishermen who mocked him earlier were present to witness his victory.
- He wished that the boy, Manolin, was with him.
Q6 | In order to help himself catch the fish, what did Santiago do?
- He promised to recite ten Hail Mary’s and ten Our Fathers.
- He promises to pay more attention to Manolin upon his return.
- He lightens the boat by throwing all unnecessary weight overboa
Q7 | The Old Man and the Sea can be interpreted as a double allegory namely
- Man’s struggle with hardships, and his ability to endure.
- Nature of man’s struggle with life, and of the artist’s struggle with his art.
- Man’s struggle with his nemesis, and his victory.
- The power of Strength, and victory.
Q8 | How does Santiago think about his adversary, the Marlin?
- He considers that he and the Marlin are brothers
- He praises the fish because it promises to bring a wonderful price at market.
- He believes that the fish is a test of his worth, sent to him by God
- He believes that the Marlin is stronger than expected.
Q9 | How does Santiago articulate his philosophy that destruction is inevitable?
- The world is such an inhospitable place that no death should be mourned.
- Out, out, brief candle!
- Even the worthiest opponents must fall.
- Everything in the world kills everything else in some way.
Q10 | The old man remembers that once, when he killed a female marlin
- The male marlin swam alongside the boat as though in mourning.
- Bit the tail off the female.
- Returned with a posse of marlins seeking revenge.
- Made a sound like there were nails being driven through his fins.
Q11 | How many times in the novel does Santiago dream about lions at play on the beachesof Africa?
- Seven
- Three
- Five
- Ten
Q12 | When does Manolin come to Santiago's shack?
- Evening of day five
- Morning of day five
- A week later later
- He doesn't
Q13 | Why does the thought of selling the fish’s meat disappoint the old man?
- He knows people will cook the marlin, but it is best eaten raw.
- Market prices are low, and Santiago will get only a fraction of what the fish is worth.
- Because marlin has an unpleasant taste, Santiago wishes he caught something that made for better eating, like a shark.
- The people who will eat the meat are unworthy. .
Q14 | What was Santiago’s problem with the left hand?
- He had broken three of the fingers.
- It was paralyzed.
- It was Cramped
- It was trembling so much he couldn’t.
Q15 | The Marlin represents:
- Defeat and betrayal
- Death
- Happiness and optimism
- Courage and perseverance
Q16 | What does Manolin do when he sees Santiago return?
- He yells at him for going out too far out.
- He Cheers for him for being victorious.
- He cries for Santiago’s suffering and defeat.
- He Cries for Santiago’s foolishness.
Q17 | How did the Old man kill the big fish?
- He shot it through the head with his gun
- He towed it behind the skiff.
- He cut it up and put the pieces in the boat.
- He pulled the fish close, got him turned on his side, held the line with his foot, and harpooned it.
Q18 | How are Santiago’s eyes described in “The Old Man and the Sea”?
- They are tired and vacant
- they are the colour of the sea
- they are full of pain
- they are blood shot
Q19 | What does Santiago wishes for constantly during his struggle with the marlin?
- he wishes that the boy, Manolin, were with him
- he wishes he had more courage
- he wishes he were younger
- he wishes for more sunshine
Q20 | Santiago is believed to be salao. How does Hemingway translate this word?
- selfish
- deeply sad
- the worst form of unlucky
- too old
Q21 | How does Santiago finally kill the marlin?
- he harpoons it through the heart
- He bashes its head with his club
- he lashes it to the inside of his boat
- he bashes its head with his club
Q22 | Which literary award did The Old Man and the Sea win in 1953?
- The Nobel Prize
- The Sundance Award
- The Booker Prize
- The Pulitzer Prize
Q23 | After his unlucky streaks, Santiago takes his skiff into the:
- Panama Canal
- South Sea
- Cuban Sea
- Gulf Stream
Q24 | The animals in Central Park whose fate Holden often wonders are:
- The beggars
- The squirrels
- The ducks in the lagoon
- The kids on the meadow
Q25 | Holden attempts to have sex with:
- Sally
- Sunny
- Jane
- Sandra