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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 feeling does Julia take away from her conversation with Ellie near the end of Chapter 15?

2. During a conversation with Ellie in Chapter 16, Julia realizes that she has taken what action without realizing it?

3. What is the last name of the man named George who appears in Chapter 21 to claim that he is a relative of Alice's?

4. In what way had George been released from prison after his appeal?

5. Ellie believes that sooner or later, Julia will return to what location?

Short Essay Questions

1. What coping mechanisms does Max use to cope with his dark mood on Christmas day?

2. How does Ellie try to cheer up Cal's daughters on Christmas evening?

3. What triumph does Julia report to Max when she goes to visit him in Chapter 17?

4. What had been the cause of the break-up between Julia and Philip?

5. Provide evidence for the conclusion that Julia sees Alice's progress as a continuum, rather than a journey with a fixed destination.

6. In what way does Ellie surprise Julia in Chapter 14 and how does Julia react to the surprise?

7. What knowledge is described as "building in Julia, filling her lungs like a slow-growing case of pneumonia" (203)?

8. To what object does Alice object so strongly that Julia must throw it into the hallway in order to get Alice to calm down?

9. What is revealed to be the reason behind Alice's fear of making noise?

10. What major step does Julia tell Ellie she is planning to take "the day after Christmas" (282)?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What message does Hannah send within the pages of Magic Hour concerning the link between altruism and emotional health?

Essay Topic 2

William Faulkner once famously claimed that the most important literature deals with the subject of the human heart in conflict with itself. Explain how the theme of Human versus Self is demonstrated within Hannah’s novel Magic Hour. Create a decisive, arguable claim and prove it with quotes from the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the ways in which the themes of adaptability and resignation appear within Hannah’s novel Magic Hour. What message is Hannah sending about these two themes over the course of the narrative?

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