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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 Gideon do when he sees Kylie?

2. How does Sally feel when Gary begins to explain why he is there?

3. What was something that drew attention to Maria Owens when she came to town?

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

5. What do the aunts tell Gillian about Ben?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What were the rumors about Maria and why did they start?

3. What does Gary realize about Gillian and what does he think is Sally and Gillian's connection to Jimmy?

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

5. How does Sally meet Gary?

6. What are the aunts thinking when they arrive at Sally's house?

7. What does Kylie feel about going to her aunts that summer?

8. What happens to Kylie on the way to Gideon's house?

9. What is the first thing Sally does when Gary comes and sits in her car?

10. Who is at the aunts' house for Thanksgiving and what does the letter they receive say?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

The fact that Gillian is being hard on herself makes Sally become a little kinder to her. In the next part of this chapter Antonia and Kylie also have a moment which draws them closer together. Each horrible event that has happened in the book eventually is the basis for something positive that happens to the family, including the death of Jimmy.

1. Do you think Gillian has good reasons to be disgusted with herself? Why or why not? What are some of the reasons Gillian uses to justify disliking herself. Use examples from "Practical Magic" and your own life to support your answer.

2. Why do you think adversity tends to bring people together? Discuss the reasons for this with examples.

3. Do you think something good can always come out of something negative? Why or why not? Use examples from "Practical Magic" and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,162 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample