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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. In Chapter 2, what does Kerans see from across the water?

2. Who catches Kerans and Riggs eyeing her in a bikini?

3. How does Kerans feel as he toys with the compass?

4. Where does Kerans believe Lieutenant Hardman has gone?

5. How does Kerans describe Riggs after he leaves the room?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Lieutenant Hardman?

2. How did the geophysical upheavals impact Earth's climate and the distribution of life?

3. What does Kerans dream about?

4. How does the novel address the concept of evolution?

5. Why do Kerans and Beatrice decide to reveal themselves to the freebooters?

6. What is the significance of Riggs' departure in relation to the remaining characters?

7. How does Kerans perceive his role after realizing the others are gone?

8. Why does Kerans hesitate to leave the comfort of his hotel suite on this particular day?

9. What does Kerans deduce about the men using alligators as "watchdogs"?

10. What eats Kerans’ catamaran and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Ballard use the character of Dr. Robert Kerans to explore the theme of scientific progress in The Drowned World? What is the relationship between science and nature in the book?

Essay Topic 2

Explore the symbolism of water in the novel and its multifaceted representation, ranging from destruction and chaos to rebirth and renewal.

Essay Topic 3

In The Drowned World, the characters are often forced to confront their own mortality. Discuss the theme of mortality in the book and how it affects the characters.

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