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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 his scam in A Scottish Soldier, a veteran of what war does Swan pretend to be?

2. What topic do Renton and Begbie argue about at the end of There Is a Light That Never Goes Out?

3. At the beginning of There Is a Light That Never Goes Out, which mate is not with Renton?

4. Who does Matty's brother want to kill in Memories of Matty?

5. How has Johnny Swan's appearing changed in this section?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Renton interact with his relatives at Billy's wake?

2. Describe Spud's ill-fated night with Laura McEwan.

3. How does Kelly take revenge on some business men in Eating Out?

4. How does Davie take revenge on Alan Venters in Bad Blood?

5. Describe the interchange Renton has with an old schoolmate at the end of this chapter.

6. How does Matty die?

7. What does Renton learn about Sick Boy in the celebration in Courting Disaster?

8. How does the morning of There Is a Light That Never Goes Out end?

9. How does Alison and Kelly bond with two lesbians in Feeling Free?

10. What does Dr. Forbes uncover about Renton's addiction in Searching for the Inner Man?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The narration of Trainspotting alternates between first and third person. Write an essay about these transitions and the difference between the two types of narrative. How does Welsh use different verbiage for each type of perspective? Discuss how each type of point-of-view reflects a different tone and intent? How do the first-person sections vary from one another depending on who is speaking?

Essay Topic 2

The characters of Trainspotting are deeply complex. They are capable of horrid actions and desirous of profound love and happiness. Write a three-part essay about three such characters. What hurtful or careless actions does each perpetrate? How does he or she show empathy or love through the novel? Does this person find happiness in the end?

Part 1) Kelly

Part 2) Davie

Part 3) Spud

Essay Topic 3

Trainspotting takes place in a specific time and place: Edinburgh in the mid- to late-eighties. This is a period marked by civil strife between right and left in the era of IRA and Thatcher. Write an essay about three ways in which the political pervades the narrative:

Part 1) Discuss the rivalry between the Hibs and the Hearts. How do these two football clubs represent two ideologies in this era? Which club do the mates of Trainspotting support, and what does this say about their understanding of the United Kingdom?

Part 2) What happens to Spud and his Uncle Dode when they cross paths with skinheads in the novel? Discuss what challenges Dode has faced in Leith and why. How are these challenges typified in this interaction with the skinheads?

Part 3) Discuss Renton's reaction to his brother Billy's death. How does he connect the death to racism and privilege in a stratified United Kingdom? What does Renton feel about Thatcher, Union, and his Glasgow relatives?

(see the answer keys)

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