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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 Luna ask Regan?

2. Why was Liam upset on his ninth birthday?

3. What happens when Regan's chemistry teacher notes the relationship between Regan and Liam?

4. What is Regan not able to do in chemistry class the next day?

5. When Liam and Regan played house as children, what role does Liam play?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens before Liam and Regan get out of the car at the West Meadows Mall?

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

3. How does Liam "test the waters" with his parents?

4. What does Aly remember about Liam's ninth birthday?

5. What do Regan and Liam discuss about their father?

6. What does Regan think about concerning gender expectations when she is babysitting at the Materas' house?

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

8. What does Regan think concerning Liam and gender?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as "Luna" help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Luna? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in "Luna" to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 2

At breakfast, the reader is introduced to Regan and Liam's parents. This introduction demonstrates the way Dad pressures Liam to fill gender role expectations and the fact that Mom seems somewhat disinterested in and detached from her children. Informing her family that she has to work late, Mom asks Regan to cook dinner, but since Regan is babysitting, Liam offers to do it, causing Dad to claim it is not Liam's job and to glare at Regan.

1. What are Liam's dad's suggestions to Liam that would seem to be pressure to fill Liam's expected gender roles? Use examples from your own life and Luna to support your answer.

2. Discuss the reasons Liam's mother seems to be detached and disinterested in her family. Use examples from your own life and "Luna" to support your answer.

3. Do you think if a boy does not like sports or a girl does not like to wear dresses forcing them into such behavior can change them? Why or why not?

4. Do you think Liam's father is concerned about Liam and this is why he is pressuring him or do you think the father's main concern is how Liam and by extension, the family appears to their peers? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and this story to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Luna and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Luna" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

4. Would you consider the ending of "Luna" to be a happy ending? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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