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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 Gillian tell the girls when they ask where their mother has gone?

2. What do Antonia and Kylie see in the backyard?

3. What does Gillian do with the girls when they leave the backyard?

4. What do Kylie and Gideon do eventually when he goes to see her?

5. What causes Gillian to sleep more peacefully?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What do the aunts do when their concoction is ready and what do their actions help?

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

5. Why does Kylie play pranks on Ben and Gillian and what are those pranks?

6. How does Sally meet Gary?

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

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

9. What does Ben tell Gillian about her abilities and what does she do as the result of his opinion?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "Practical Magic". Questions that Hoffman most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Hoffman's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Hoffman's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Hoffman and if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

Essay Topic 2

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. Ironically, the mothers still come to the aunts for love portions.

1. What is irony? (This may need research). How is the situation with the aunts and the mothers of the children an example of irony?

2. Discuss one other example in this book that is ironic and tell why you believe the situation is ironic. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. Do you think it is wrong for the mothers to use the aunts? Why or why not? Include examples from Practical Magic and your own life to illustrate your answer.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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