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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 many of Riggs's men are affected by the dreams, according to Bodkin?

2. What is Beatrice's reflection on Riggs?

3. What is the name of the location where Kerans lives?

4. What do Kerans, Bodkin, and Beatrice sense about their relationship in Chapter 6?

5. Where does Kerans stay in the hotel?

Short Essay Questions

1. How would you describe the time period that the book takes place in?

2. What scientific idea does Bodkin propose?

3. What is the significance of the arrival of the hydroplane and the destruction caused by the ships in the lagoon?

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

5. Who is the main character in The Drowned World and how would you describe them?

6. What is the significance of the massive, Triassic-sized insects buzzing past Kerans as he stands on the balcony?

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

8. Why do the freebooters inspect the buildings in the lagoon?

9. What object does Kerans take from the armory and why?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Ballard use the character of Strangman to explore the theme of human violence in The Drowned World? What is the relationship between violence and survival 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

How does the breakdown of society in The Drowned World reflect the breakdown of human civilization? What does this say about human nature?

(see the answer keys)

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