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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 is Scott Morrison?

2. What does Ben do for sick children?

3. Who leaves his wife to marry?

4. What is Kylie's special talent?

5. Who are Jet and Frances?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What happens in school that makes the children believe Sally is a witch?

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

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

5. 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?

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

7. What do the girls see Irene ask their aunts for, what do their aunts tell Irene and what does she say?

8. What does Gillian tell Sally about her boyfriend, Jimmy?

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

10. What does Sally see as she is leaving the pizza parlor and how does she feel about it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"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 2

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 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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