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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 Sally say is the important thing about Jimmy?

2. What was something that drew attention to Maria Owens when she came to town?

3. For what is Gary known?

4. Why does Maria wear a sapphire her lover had given her for the rest of her life?

5. Who does Maria follow to Massachusetts?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Gideon's mother tell him at the beginning of Levitation?

2. 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?

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

4. What does Kylie do when she is feeling lonely and confused?

5. What does Gary realize about Gillian and what does he think is Sally and Gillian's connection to Jimmy?

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

7. Why does Sally become enraged at Gillian for something Gillian says about Sally's daughters?

8. What happens that causes Ben to talk about fate to Gillian?

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

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

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

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 3

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "Practical Magic". Questions that Hoffman most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Hoffman's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Hoffman's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Hoffman and if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

(see the answer keys)

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