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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 endeavors to remove the explosives from the dam?

2. How does Bodkin respond to Kerans' suggestion of moving south?

3. When does Riggs tell Kerans that he is leaving him and Strangman behind?

4. What does Kerans observe in the submerged streets in Chapter 9?

5. How long does Kerans continue his journey despite the pain in his leg and lack of sleep?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Riggs' justification for not arresting Strangman and his plan for the lagoons?

2. What significance do the albino snakes and lizards hold in relation to Strangman's arrival?

3. How does the wrecked penthouse suite influence Kerans' perspective and decision-making?

4. What brings Strangman to the lagoon and why does he invite Kerans to dinner?

5. How does Kerans react when Sergeant Macready spots him and the dynamite?

6. How does Kerans manage to escape from being pinned below the inverted throne?

7. What does Kerans see in the old planetarium?

8. How does Beatrice respond to the drained lagoon and what does Kerans propose as an alternative?

9. What does Strangman give Beatrice?

10. Who lunges at Kerans with a blade and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Ballard use the character of Beatrice Dahl to explore the theme of femininity in The Drowned World? What role does femininity play in the book?

Essay Topic 2

The characters in The Drowned World are often driven by a sense of nostalgia for the past and a desire to return to a world that no longer exists. Discuss the role of memory and nostalgia in the book and how it shapes the characters' actions and motivations.

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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This section contains 802 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample