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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. How did Isabel convince Ruth to leave the laundry?

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

3. What are lobsterbacks?

4. How did Isabel calm Ruth in the woods?

5. How did Ruth's mood change while working at the army camp?

Short Essay Questions

1. What kind of person was Miss Marrow?

2. How did Isabel's feelings towards Aberdeen change by the time she encountered him hiding in the bushes?

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

4. How did Isabel's narration during her fake kiss with Curzon indicate that she may have had romantic feelings towards him?

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

6. Why did Mister Hallahan not pay Isabel for her work in the tavern?

7. What did Isabel do in preparation to leave the laundry in Williamsburg?

8. Why were many of the men in Curzon's company from Rhode Island?

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

10. What did Isabel mean when she said, "I am my own army" (126)?

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

Anderson often includes visual and auditory imagery to help set the mood in tense, nostalgic or otherwise emotional scenes. Write an essay that gives examples of this and describe how Anderson's imagery effectively helps set different moods.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay exploring the theme of love in Ashes. Be sure to touch on familial love as well as romantic love.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 889 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample