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. Dot had told Kitty that Parsifal had ___________________.

2. What food does the family order out for supper?

3. What do Sabine's parents advise her to do regarding Parsifal's parents?

4. What does Sabine note about all the houses in Nebraska?

5. What is the homeland of Sabine's parents?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Parsifal's mother and why does she call Sabine?

2. Why does Sabine feel that she cannot stay in the big house any longer?

3. How does Sabine philosophize her life versus the one Parsifal had?

4. What does Dot's invitation to Sabine foreshadow for the story?

5. What does Phan tell Sabine in a dream after Parsifal dies?

6. Where does Sabine take Parsifal's mother and sister on their second day in Los Angeles?

7. What does Sabine think of the cemetery where Parsifal and Phan are buried?

8. Why does Sabine give Roger permission to call Parsifal's family and why does she not think they will contact her?

9. Why did Sabine marry Parsifal, a gay man?

10. Describe Dot's visit at the cemetery.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Does Patchett end the story on a note of hope for Sabine or the continuance of her struggle to come to terms with the loss of Parsifal in her life? Give your perspective and two reasons to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

The search for love is an important theme in THE MAGICIAN'S ASSISTANT. Can you cite an example to support this theme? Name two other themes and cite examples to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the role of the family in THE MAGICIAN'S ASSISTANT. What does it mean for each of the main characters? How does the family evolve in its support of each other? How typical is this family to most families living during the late 20th century? How does the triangular relationship between Parsifal, Phan and Sabine consist of a family of sorts?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 970 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample