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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. Who does Kidd wish was at the party?

2. Why haven't any of the residents of Bellona tried to make contact with the outside world?

3. How does Madame Brown offer to help Kidd?

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

5. When Lanya arrives, what does she wish to give back to Kidd?

Short Essay Questions

1. How has Lanya and Kidd's relationship changed?

2. Who starts many of the riots, and what do we learn about the scorpions because of this?

3. Does Kidd realize what he is writing?

4. Why is Edward probably frightened to leave Bellona?

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

6. Why does Kamp feel like it's finally time to leave Bellona?

7. All of the residents are wondering what is happening in the sky. How do they work to find a solution?

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

9. Although Kidd and Lanya seem to have known each other for a while, what side of her did he never see ?

10. Why does June try to go to her brother for help?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It has been said that Bellona is actually Harlem in the 1970s, where Delany grew up.

Compare the trapped, scared survivalist emotions the residents of Bellona have to those of the poor, African Americans in 1970's Harlem.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Although Kidd is the main character, it seems as though he never advances as a character. The reader goes on a journey with him, but is never really sure whether or not Kidd grows.

1. Why is self awareness and character expansion an important part of a novel?

2. Do you think that Delany purposefully halted the growth of Kidd?

3. How does stopping Kidd's character development match up with the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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