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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 are the aunts thinking about when they arrive at Sally's home?

2. What does Gary see when he goes to the kitchen sink?

3. Where does Gary begin his search for Hawkins in New York?

4. What does Gillian know when Sally arrives home?

5. What does Gary think about Gillian's answers to his questions?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Sally think about and how does she feel while waiting for Gary?

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

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

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

6. 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?

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

8. What does Sally decide to do about Gary?

9. What does Gillian tell their aunts about Jimmy and what is their aunts' response?

10. What do Gillian and Sally want to do with the thorns in the backyard and what does Kylie say about their plan?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in "Practical Magic". Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters are rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of individual freedom in "Practical Magic". Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters work to possess individual freedom? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of tradition in "Practical Magic". What the aunts' views of tradition? What about Sally? Why is tradition important to some characters? Is anyone willing to abandon traditional viewpoints? Who? What are the positive and negative sides to holding fast to tradition?

(see the answer keys)

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