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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. Why is Ruth crying one afternoon?

2. What do soldiers ask to search?

3. What does Mr. Lockton do when Madam Lockton protests his decision about her?

4. What is the purpose of the term "ad astra"?

5. What does Madam Lockton plan to use as her personal entertainment in her house?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Curzon tell Isabel about the Locktons, and what promise does he make?

2. How does Mr. Lockton flee his home, and what does he do when his wife tries to go with him?

3. Under what condition does Lockton agree to give the Loyalist money, and why does he stipulate that condition?

4. What surprises Isabel when she goes to bring Lady Seymour back to the Lockton home?

5. What does the Mayor of New York suggest it is time to do to advance the Loyalist cause?

6. Who does Isabel take the list she stole to and why does she choose that person?

7. Why do the soldiers remove the windows in the Lockton house?

8. What does Isabel struggle to do as she is working about the house?

9. What does Colonel Regen ask Isabel to do and how does he make it possible for her to travel about without being picked up?

10. What does Isabel learn when she is serving a meeting of some of the Loyalists at the Lockton home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It is interesting to note Isabel's struggle in naming herself on the forged pass. She knows she is not a Finch or a Lockton. She considers naming herself after her mother or father as a way of honoring their memory, but she no longer wants to be tied to the past. She is looking forward, embracing her new, free future. She renames herself Isabel Gardener for her favorite memories of home: tending to the garden, the growing new life. Keen readers may remember the seeds Isabel tried to grow when she first moved to the Lockton home. Like Isabel's hopes for freedom, the new growth was crushed during a battle and never replanted. Now, Isabel is figuratively replanting those seeds and waiting to watch her future blossom.

1. Why do you think it matters what name Isabel puts on a false pass? Use examples from "Chains" and your own life to support your answer.

2. Discuss, in depth, why names are important to people. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Discuss the symbolism of Isabel liking to grow life considering the hardship in her life. Use examples from "Chains" and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of "Chains", identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in "Chains". (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "Chains" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

(see the answer keys)

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