View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Ben once told when he has his fortune read?

2. What happens to Irene's voice?

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

4. What happens when the man in the backyard exhales?

5. What won't stay closed though Gillian tries to force it?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does Sally marry, what children does she have and what are those children like?

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

3. What has Sally been dreaming about having to do with Jimmy and how is she feeling towards Gillian and Kylie?

4. Why was everyone so upset at Kylie's birthday dinner?

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

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

7. Why does Irene want the aunts to undo what they did for her and what do they do to her when they tell her they can't?

8. How do Kylie and Antonia each feel about Gillian, where is Gillian working and what happens at her work place?

9. What is happening that has caused Gillian and Sally not to speak?

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 the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Practical Magic, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in Practical Magic. (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not.

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

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.

1. Refute or defend the following statement: Stereotypes about people are generally true. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. How do you think stereotyping or generalization in schools can affect students? Use examples from Practical Magic and your own life to support your answer.

3. The only statement that can be true about a population is if that population consist of only one person. Discuss this statement in view of the counselor stereotyping others.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,077 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample