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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. Who are Jet and Frances?

2. What does a boy in the class do to a black cat?

3. Who finishes each other's sentences?

4. What happens to the boy who does something to a cat?

5. What happens when something unlucky happens?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Kylie and Antonia each feel about Gillian, where is Gillian working and what happens at her work place?

2. What does Kylie hear from the man in the back yard and what does she try to do about it? What is the man causing everyone in the house to have?

3. What was Ben told once when he had his fortune read?

4. What do Sally and Gillian do with Jimmy and what happens immediately after they do it?

5. What does Sally do after her husband is killed?

6. What do Sally and Gillian swear to each other and why do they swear it?

7. What happens in school that makes the children believe Sally is a witch?

8. How does Antonia feel about Ben and Gillian getting together and what does she do about it?

9. Where do Sally and Gillian go to live and why?

10. Why was everyone so upset at Kylie's birthday dinner?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "Practical Magic". Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Hoffman chooses the symbols she does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Hoffman chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Hoffman's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliff hangers, deux ex machina, etc.), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Hoffman use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

Essay Topic 2

"Practical Magic" belongs to the fantasy genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the historical novel genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a science fiction novel and a fantasy novel?

Essay Topic 3

Gillian and Sally are ostracized in school because it is believed their family consist of witches. The children will not play with the girls and the parents are prejudiced also. Ironically, the mothers still come to the aunts for love portions.

1. What is irony? (This may need research). How is the situation with the aunts and the mothers of the children an example of irony?

2. Discuss one other example in this book that is ironic and tell why you believe the situation is ironic. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. Do you think it is wrong for the mothers to use the aunts? Why or why not? Include examples from Practical Magic and your own life to illustrate your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,187 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample