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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 is Brendan's last name?

2. Who is first to take the stage in Chapter 8?

3. Where does Cal describe seeing himself shopping on the news in Chapter 8?

4. Who did Orpheus travel to Hades in order to save, according to Cal's dad in Chapter 9?

5. How does Cal's dad respond to the atmosphere of the welcome party when he walks in, in Chapter 9?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the Tucker home described?

2. Why does Cal become upset over a message in Chapter 8?

3. What are Cal's first impressions of Leon?

4. Why would Cal's career ambitions be threatened if his father were accepted at NASA?

5. What does Cal learn about Leon in Chapter 9? How does he react?

6. Who is Jeremy and what role does he play in the novel?

7. What is StarWatch, and how would you compare it to contemporary media?

8. Why does Cal feel his family is inadequate as a NASA family?

9. Where does Cal spend time with Leon at the party in Chapter 9? Why?

10. How does Cal perceive his version of journalism to mainstream journalism in Chapter 1?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze and discuss Cal's relationship with Leon in The Gravity of Us. How do Leon and Cal meet? What are their first impressions of one another? How does their relationship evolve in the course of the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the family relationships in The Gravity of Us. How does Cal perceive his parents and their relationship in the beginning of the novel? How do those perceptions change? How does Leon feel about his family?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the themes of fame and celebrity in The Gravity of Us. How are these themes developed through character? How are they connected to symbolism in the novel? What statements do you think the author is making regarding fame and celebrity?

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