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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. Who finishes each other's sentences?

2. What aspects of life do Jet and Frances not involve themselves in concerning Sally and Gillian?

3. Who does Kylie say she wants to be like?

4. What does Gillian do that all the single women in town think is crazy?

5. Who becomes enamored of Gillian?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Antonia get to know Scott Morrison?

2. What is Gillian receiving from Ben everyday and what does she think of that? How did she get to know him?

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

4. What do Sally and Gillian swear to each other and why do they swear it?

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

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

7. Why does Gillian leave the aunts' home and what does she tell Sally?

8. What does Kylie hear from the man in the back yard and what does she try to do about it? What is the man causing everyone in the house to have?

9. What do Sally and Gillian do with Jimmy and what happens immediately after they do it?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in "Practical Magic".

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of "Practical Magic". How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of "Practical Magic". How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 2

"Practical Magic" belongs to the fantasy genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the historical novel genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a science fiction novel and a fantasy novel?

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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