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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 Irene return to tell the aunts?

2. What advice does Sally give Ben?

3. What must Sally and Gillian Owens do?

4. What happens when Sally and Gillian start school at their new location?

5. What does Ben think he hears in Gillian's voice?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the girls compare to each other and why do they not play with any of the children in town?

2. Why is Kylie looking forward to her birthday and how does Antonia feel about being beautiful?

3. What was Ben told once when he had his fortune read?

4. How does Sally figure out that Kylie will never be normal?

5. What does Sally do after her husband is killed?

6. What happens when Sally hears a knock on the door one night?

7. How does Kylie react to the birthday gift from her mother and the one from Gillian and what does Sally tell Gillian about Kylie?

8. What does Kylie see in the back yard and what ability does she have and what problems does her ability cause?

9. How does Antonia get to know Scott Morrison?

10. How does Antonia feel about Ben and Gillian getting together and what does she do about it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think Practical Magic is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 2

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Alice Hoffman.

2. What in Hoffman's background may have helped Hoffman in writing "Practical Magic"? What may have influenced the way she depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 3

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "Practical Magic" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

(see the answer keys)

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