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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 and Curzon do to ensure the area near the milestone was safe before coming out of the woods?

2. Who were Kate and Elspeth?

3. What did Widow Hallahan offer Isabel in exchange for her work?

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

5. Why did Isabel call Widow Hallahan "snake-souled" (104) in Chapter XVIII?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How did Curzon help ease tensions upon their arrival at Riverbend?

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

4. Why did Isabel want people who saw her and Ruth wandering around town to think they were slaves?

5. Why did Aberdeen know Ruth better than Isabel did?

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

7. Why did Isabel cry when talking to Serafina?

8. Why did Serafina think Ruth should leave with Isabel?

9. What did Curzon mean when he said, "Lazarus is a lass" (81)?

10. How does Anderson begin each chapter in Ashes?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The resolution of Ashes is hopeful but still realistic. Write an essay that describes how the events in this last section of the book drive the plot towards a resolution of this nature, and theorize what messages Anderson hopes to send by ending the book in this way.

Essay Topic 2

Any novel set during a war is obviously rife with external conflict. But characters in Ashes all experience internal conflict as well. Choose three characters from Ashes and analyze one major internal conflict, as well as one major external conflict, that each one faces. Which conflict affects each character most?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay exploring the theme of finding one's purpose in Ashes. Where does this theme originate? Which characters have a purpose? How do the characters' purposes grow and change throughout the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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