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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. What is the purpose of these "freebooters" in the lagoons?

2. Who arrives at the landing stage in a converted landing craft?

3. What does Bodkin attribute the dreams to?

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

5. How does Riggs attempt to communicate with Kerans and Beatrice?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What eats Kerans’ catamaran and why?

5. What does Kerans dream about?

6. What does the conversation between Riggs and Kerans reveal about their roles and concerns in this changing world?

7. In what way are the flora and fauna evolving?

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

9. What is the significance of their dreams as a meeting ground?

10. Can you describe the “flooded city” in the novel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the symbolism of the lagoon in The Drowned World. How might it represent the characters' subconscious desires?

Essay Topic 2

In The Drowned World, Ballard portrays a world in which the boundaries between human and animal, conscious and unconscious, begin to break down. Discuss the theme of metamorphosis in the book and its significance for the characters.

Essay Topic 3

How does Ballard use the character of Kerans to explore the theme of isolation in The Drowned World? Give examples from the text.

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