Manino: English 10
Web Quest for The Pearl by John Steinbeck
The purpose of this WEBQUEST is to acquaint the students with
background information for John Steinbeck’s THE PEARL. Each student will
complete all sections of the WEBQUEST.
To complete your assignment, you may use the two electronic source
listed under the specific topic or any other links from search results you would
like. Copy the link you have used and paste it at the end of each section.
Remember to list the sources you use and write what you have read in
your own words.
You may print out this document and hand write the answers, or you may
use Word to complete the assignment. Be sure to save your work as you
progress!
Section One / Author Information
http://www.steinbeck.org/pages/john-steinbeck-biography
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/johnstei.htm
1. When did John Steinbeck live? _____________________________________________
2. Where was he educated? _________________________________________________
3. What kinds of awards did Steinbeck win for his works? Complete the chart.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
Year
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940
1946
1962
1964
Award
For what?
4. What are some common themes that are generally presented in Steinbeck’s novels?
5. Who is Eddie Ricketts and how did he influence Steinbeck’ s The Pearl?
6. When was The Pearl written? ______________________________________________
7. What other books did Steinbeck write that deal with human values?
Write a paragraph that summarizes the information you obtained about John Steinbeck.
Section Two/History and Setting of La Paz
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/326443/La-Paz
http://www.solymarweb.com/page-la-paz-history-activities-and-information-baja-california-surmexico-11.html
1. Locate La Paz on a map. Make a copy or draw the map.
2. What is the geography of La Paz?
3. What bodies of water surround it? List all of them and label them on the map.
4. What mountains exist? List the names of the mountains and label them on the map.
5. What is the climate of La Paz?
6. Where is the capital of Mexico?
How far would it be from La Paz to Mexico City across the water?
How far is it to go around on land?
7. What are the main ways of making a living in La Paz?
Write a paragraph which summarizes the information you obtained about La Paz.
Section Three/Scorpions
http://www.desertusa.com/oct96/du_scorpion.html
1. What do they look like? Include a picture of a scorpion.
2. Where do they live?
3. What do they eat?
4. How do they hunt their prey?
5. Are they dangerous to humans? Why or why not? _
6. What should people do if they encounter a scorpion? What if a person is stung?
Write a paragraph which summarizes the information you obtained about scorpions.
Section Four/Pearl Diving
http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/past-exhibitions/pearls/obtaining-pearls/diving-for-pearls
http://traveltips.usatoday.com/pearl-diving-mexico-16127.html
1. What dangers do pearl divers face?
2. How do pearl divers adapt their bodies to the ocean?
3. How is the quality of a pearl judged?
4. How does modern day pearl diving compare with pearl diving in the past?
Write a paragraph which summarizes the information you obtained about Pearl diving.