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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. Where does Gary begin his search for Hawkins in New York?

2. Why does Kylie stop being mad at Gillian?

3. For what is Gary known?

4. How does Ben talk to Gillian?

5. How well does Gideon know the man his mother is to marry?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Gary figure out that Sally and Gillian know more about Jimmy than they are saying?

2. What does Kylie receive from her aunts for her birthday and what happens after it is in the house?

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

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

5. Why did Maria Owens attract attention when she came to Massachusetts?

6. What does Gideon do after his mother tells him what is going to happen and how does he know if Kylie and him are still friends?

7. What does Kylie do when she is feeling lonely and confused?

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

9. What do Gillian and Sally do when Gary leaves and why?

10. What does Sally think about and how does she feel while waiting for Gary?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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