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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 Kylie put in a cactus jar?

2. How does Maria break her arm?

3. Who doesn't show up at the meeting place where Maria keeps going?

4. What does Gary feel after Sally leaves?

5. What does Maria have sewn in her dress?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Kylie and Antonia see in the backyard, what does Gillian tell them to do and what does Kylie tell Gillian about Jimmy's ring?

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

3. What are the aunts thinking when they arrive at Sally's house?

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

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

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

7. What do Gillian and Sally do when Gary leaves and why?

8. How does Gillian end up seeing Ben all the time?

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

10. Who is at the aunts' house for Thanksgiving and what does the letter they receive say?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an important part of what makes "Practical Magic" interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Gillian. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Sally. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Kylie. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

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 "Practical Magic" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Practical Magic" 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?

(see the answer keys)

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