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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 Liam ask Regan to do Saturday afternoon?

2. What soundtrack does Regan load in her room?

3. What does Carmen do before moving away from their town?

4. Why was Liam upset on his ninth birthday?

5. What does Regan not understand about Liam's feelings concerning their father?

Short Essay Questions

1. What thoughts go through Regan's head about the shopping experience with Luna?

2. What does Regan tell Luna when s/he wakes Regan in the middle of the night and how does Luna feel about it?

3. Why does Regan feel guilty in chemistry class?

4. What does Regan remember about a story she hears at her Grandpa O'Neill's funeral?

5. Why is Regan having difficulty concentrating and who causes her more trouble?

6. Why do the lights flicker when Regan opens the door to the basement and why is the alarm probably not necessary?

7. What happens in the present that makes Regan think of a past incident?

8. To what does Regan flashback when she hears Liam playing music in his room?

9. What does Liam say he wants to do to himself and why does he feel this way?

10. How does Luna feel after leaving the mall, and how does Regan respond?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of "Luna", identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement.) Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in "Luna". (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Over the course of "Luna", Regan grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. "Luna" might be considered a slice of Regan's larger story of her "coming of age." It might be said that the book is a "bildungsroman" of Regan O'Neill's life. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Regan as she changes from a more carefree, innocent girl to a wiser, young woman. What are the significant events that change Regan?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Regan's growth throughout "Luna", do you think "Luna" could be considered Regan's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in "Luna" who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

Essay Topic 3

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Julie Anne Peters.

2. What in Peters' background may have helped her in writing "Luna"? What may have influenced the way she depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

4. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

5. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Peters' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Peters' probable agenda concerning that idea.

6. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface? Why or why not?

7. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author? Explain your answer with examples.

(see the answer keys)

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