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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 time does Joan arrive at the Johnson Space Center on December 29, 1984?

2. How old was Vanessa when her father died?

3. Who does Joan realize is afraid but fighting it when they are on the vomit Comet learning to deal with weightlessness?

4. What military academy did Vanessa's father attend?

5. What was the name of Joan's boyfriend in high school?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Joan feel for Griff?

2. How is the weightlessness of space simulated, and how does Joan react?

3. Why does Vanessa think she cannot have a dog?

4. What does Joan like to draw and what is her favorite part of her drawing?

5. What problems have to be resolved in order to get the shuttle back to earth?

6. How does Joan support Barbara after Barbara gets pregnant?

7. What does Vanessa share with Joan about her father?

8. What inspires Joan to apply to NASA the first ime?

9. What does Vanessa ask Joan to help her with, and why does asking for help embarrass her?

10. Why does Joan play the piano after a long week of classes in the fall of 1980?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A character arc is the inner journey of a character in a book. What is Joan’s character arc, and what situations influence her growth and transformation?

Essay Topic 2

Suspense in literature is when an author leaves readers wondering what will happen next. How does Reid use suspense to encourage readers to keep reading, entice their curiosity, and strengthen their connection to the characters and plot?

Essay Topic 3

Imagery is a literary device authors use to describe characters and the world they inhabit. Imagery involves using the five senses to describe characters, places, and things. How does Reid use imagery to help readers imagine the world and characters she has created?

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