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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. Why does Riggs claim that he cannot arrest Strangman?

2. What does Kerans think about as he travels south in Chapter 15?

3. In Chapter 12, "The Feast of Skulls," where does Kerans find himself initially?

4. What does Kerans connect his near-death experience in Chapter 9 with?

5. What issue does Kerans argue with Riggs about in Chapter 13?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Kerans question Riggs about not arresting Strangman?

2. How does Kerans react when he stumbles upon the remains of a small temple?

3. How does Kerans navigate his journey south and what challenges does he face?

4. What does Kerans do after the explosion and what does he say to Beatrice?

5. Why did Riggs turn around and come back when he suspected Strangman's presence?

6. What menacing creature do they encounter, and how do they deal with it?

7. What does Strangman give Beatrice?

8. How does Kerans care for Lieutenant Hardman during the days they spend together?

9. What does Kerans see in the old planetarium?

10. Who is carrying a bomb at the dinner party and what happens?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the role of technology in the drowned world and its juxtaposition with the primitive instincts and behaviors that emerge in the characters.

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