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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 does Sharon admit Billy did in Bang to Rites?

2. Who explains to Renton that he is quitting cold turkey in this chapter?

3. In Junk Dilemmas No. 67, Dennis Ross OD'ed on a mixture of heroin and what?

4. Who was Gi sleeping with when his wife discovered he was gay?

5. Who unknowingly infected Davie with HIV?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what state is Renton at the beginning of this chapter?

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

3. What hallucinations does Renton have as he slips in and out of consciousness?

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

5. How does Billy Renton die?

6. How does Matty die?

7. What surprise does Renton have when he wakes up in Gi's flat?

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

9. In Bad Blood, how does Alan Venters and Davie's relationship develop?

10. What uncharacteristic moment occurs with Renton in Straight Dilemmas No. 1?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Selfishness is a constant theme of Irvine Welsh's Trainspotting. Individuals forge friendships and relationships, but they hold their own self-interest far ahead of anyone else's well-being. Write an essay on the topic of selfishness, in three parts:

Part 1) Who does Sick Boy use over the course of Trainspotting? Discuss his relationship with Alison, his role as a pimp, and his treatment of Renton in his time of need. What goals does Sick Boy have as an individual, and who does he betray to achieve them?

Part 2) Discuss the role of Frank Begbie in the novel. Who does he use in order to find profit and pleasure in his life? What does he leave behind in order to live life unfettered? How does this reflect his values and objectives?

Part 3) In summation, discuss the final chapter of the novel. How and why does Renton betray all of his friends? What does he gain? How does he justify this betrayal in the closing moments of the novel?

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

Write an essay about women in Trainspotting. Choose three women and discuss their place in the coterie of junkies and loser who comprise the center of the novel. How do they become attached to the group? Are they repelled by the drug-use or part of it? What do they lose within the group and what do they gain? Are any of them particularly well-defined as individuals?

(see the answer keys)

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