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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. Where does Kidd invite Madame Brown, Lanya, and Denny?

2. Who never shows up at the party?

3. Why does Frank want to join the scorpions?

4. What unfortunate event happens at the party?

5. What would Lanya like to name her harmonica solo?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Kidd shocked that people want to know about his life?

2. Why is Edward probably frightened to leave Bellona?

3. Who makes sure that Kidd's poems are saved amongst the chaos of the scorpions?

4. As Chapter 5 opens, what is Kidd wondering?

5. When were most of Kidd's poems written?

6. How does Kidd finally feel when he attempts to write a new poem?

7. What is important in the scorpions dialogue?

8. As the book is drawing to a close, what does Kidd have trouble understanding?

9. Why are the scorpions moving again?

10. What problem doesn't affect Calkins' house and why is this strange?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Captain Kamp describes Bellona as being extremely similar to the moon. Once you have to ask why you are there, you should not be there anymore.

What do Captain Kamp's words mean?

Why are Captain Kamp's words about Bellona so important?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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