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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. How does Kidd's relationship with the scorpions change?

2. Why does the woman think that Kidd must be older than 27?

3. Who does Kidd find in an apartment on the floor below the Richards' current apartment?

4. What does Madame Brown try to explain to Kidd?

5. Why is this Lanya's reaction?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Lanya believe in?

2. What event does Kidd hope changes Mrs Richards and forces her to see reality?

3. What is odd about the people who stay in Bellona after the event?

4. Why does Kidd feel used and angry at his new work situation?

5. Why is Kidd angry with the Richards and why does he end his work relationship with them?

6. Why is Frank's introduction important in this part of the novel?

7. Why did Lanya destroy all of her paintings?

8. In this section, Kidd starts to lose time again, how does this affect him?

9. Why do the scorpions begin to trust Kidd?

10. What does Mr. Richards do everyday he "goes to work."

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bellona is described as a place for outcasts and misfits who do not wish to move forward with their lives or feel uninspired to do anything with themselves.

Why would the following characters "fit in" to Bellona:

- Tak

- George Harrison

- Newboy

- Captain Kamp

Essay Topic 2

How are the scorpions a family in their own right?

Although they may be a difficult bunch with whom to get along, how do they create a family in a world that is unstable?

Why do some of the residents need this in Bellona?

Essay Topic 3

The theme of survival courses through the entire novel. Characters feel as though they are being forced to stay in Bellona and must push themselves to survive here.

1. Why do the characters feel forced to stay? Is it because of money, family, or welfare?

2. How is this similar to what people who live in assisted living or are on welfare feel? Why are they trapped into their current situations? Is it completely their fault?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 686 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample