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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. How does Maria break her arm?

2. What do the townspeople gossip about Maria?

3. What book of Kylie's does Gillian study?

4. When is Maria often seen traveling?

5. Who tell Gideon that Gideon's mother is getting married?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Gary figure out that Sally and Gillian know more about Jimmy than they are saying?

2. What do Sally and Gillian learn about Irene and how does this make them feel?

3. What does Gideon do after his mother tells him what is going to happen and how does he know if Kylie and him are still friends?

4. Why did Maria Owens attract attention when she came to Massachusetts?

5. What is the first thing Sally does when Gary comes and sits in her car?

6. What were the rumors about Maria and why did they start?

7. What do the aunts do when their concoction is ready and what do their actions help?

8. What does Ben tell Gillian about her abilities and what does she do as the result of his opinion?

9. What does Kylie receive from her aunts for her birthday and what happens after it is in the house?

10. What happens to Kylie on the way to Gideon's house?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Sally becomes outraged at the thought that the girls are growing up. It will always make Sally sad to think that her girls are going away, but she will eventually come to terms with it much more easily than she thinks possible. Sally's going to bed seems rather childish in many ways, showing that she is not as practical as she seems to be in regards to so many other situations.

1. Do you think Sally's reaction towards her daughters growing up is normal? Why or why not? Use examples from "Practical Magic" and your own life to support your answer.

2. What other ways might Sally be able to cope with her feelings of uncertainty than going to bed? Use examples from "Practical Magic" and your own life to support your answer.

3. Do you think someone who is an adult and is practical should never act childish? Why or why not? Use examples from "Practical Magic" and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

"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?

(see the answer keys)

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