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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. When Isabel and Ruth initially arrived at Curzon's camp, who did some soldiers think that Isabel was?

2. Why did Isabel hope that the battle in Williamsburg would be postponed?

3. Why did Isabel decided not to linger in the French camp?

4. Why did Ruth learn all of the army companies' flags?

5. Who was Sibby?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why was Isabel grateful that Ruth did not say anything in the presence of Sergeant Armstrong?

2. Why did Isabel decide that she and Ruth could not travel with the women of the army?

3. What did Isabel mean when she said, "We had been forced back into war for our liberty" (151)?

4. Why did Isabel think digging the trench was a bad idea?

5. Why did Isabel tell Widow Hallahan that Ruth had been shoveling donkey dung?

6. Why was Aberdeen curious about Isabel favoring the British?

7. Why did Isabel not tell Ruth the truth about Aberdeen?

8. Why was Isabel cheered by Kate and Elspeth's frustration at the extra work they had to do after the storm?

9. What kind of person was Miss Marrow?

10. Why did Ruth's worry about Aberdeen increase as time went on?

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

Isabel often jumps to conclusions about what people are thinking based on their actions. Write an essay describing some situations in which she does this and explaining how it affects the way she interacts with her companions.

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)

This section contains 931 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample