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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. Which of the following is Curzon overly afraid of?

2. Why did Curzon want to leave their camp when Ruth was sick?

3. What about Isabel made Widow Hallahan suspicious?

4. What did Isabel find suspicious when they first arrived in Riverbend?

5. At Riverbend, why did Isabel climb out of the tree in a rush?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Ruth call the donkey Thomas Boon?

2. How does Anderson begin each chapter in Ashes?

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

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

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

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

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

8. What did Isabel believe was the worst thing that slave owners did to slaves?

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

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 a tender moment, Serafina tells Isabel, "Don't forget how to be gentle" (39). Write an essay exploring the ways in which this statement manifests as a major theme of Ashes.

Essay Topic 3

How are Isabel, Ruth, Curzon, and other black characters treated by white characters in Ashes? Which white characters treat them with respect? Which white characters treat them poorly? What message is Anderson trying to send about racism?

(see the answer keys)

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