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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 did Isabel do to help Ruth recover from her fever?

2. Why were Serafina and Walter not trying to escape?

3. Which of the following did Isabel see on the milestone?

4. How had Isabel and Curzon been getting information to lead them towards Ruth?

5. What made Isabel most nervous about working at the laundry?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Ruth call the donkey Thomas Boon?

2. Isabel used a simile to describe her feelings when rejected by Ruth. What did she compare herself to?

3. What clues led Isabel to believe that Aberdeen was lying about his butcher shop job?

4. Why did Isabel see when she looked at Ruth through "a stranger's eyes" (91) in Chapter XVI?

5. What advice did Walter give Ruth before leaving her with Isabel, Curzon and Aberdeen?

6. Why did Isabel and Curzon need to hide from the British soldiers?

7. After Ruth had a fit, in what ways did it become obvious to her companions that she was very sick?

8. When Isabel arrived at Riverbend, what had changed about Ruth since the last time she saw her?

9. After leaving Riverbend, Isabel stated that Curzon was growing more short-tempered by the day. What did she think was the cause of his change in mood?

10. How did Anderson illustrate Ruth’s love of animals throughout their time at Riverbend?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Anderson sometimes uses italics in Isabel's narration. When does she do this? What is its purpose?

Essay Topic 2

In the beginning of Ashes, Isabel claims that she wants to remain as far away from the war as possible. Eventually, though, she does choose a side. Write an essay analyzing the development of Isabel's perception of the Revolution and what caused her opinions to change on this topic.

Essay Topic 3

The other soldiers in the Rhode Island regiment are minor characters and so do not have distinct personalities, save for perhaps Henry; nonetheless they play an important role in the resolution of the novel. Write an essay that explains how these characters support both the romantic and political conflicts in Ashes.

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