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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. Who is hanged in the town square?

2. Who are the Locktons?

3. Why are the windows removed in the Lockton's home?

4. Why does Mr. Lockton insist Madam Lockton stay behind?

5. What does Curzon explain about Master Lockton?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why has Miss Mary Finch's nephew come to Rhode Island?

2. What are Isabel and Ruth doing in the funeral procession, and what is important about the day for them?

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

4. What does Becky Berry tell Isabel about Ruth?

5. What happens the morning after Isabel made a report to Curzon?

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

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

8. Why is Isabel terrified when Lockton is released from jail, and why did she need not worry?

9. What does Isabel do the night of the first Loyalist meeting after the household members have gone to sleep?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes it is the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think "Chains" is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "Chains", questions that Anderson most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Anderson's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Anderson's probable agenda concerning that idea.

3. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

4. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

5. Research the life of Anderson and see if/where her life may have influenced her writing.

Essay Topic 3

1. What is foreshadowing? How many incidences of foreshadowing are in "Chains"? How does foreshadowing contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadowing in "Chains" including why you believe it is so. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from "Chains" and your own live to support your opinion.

(see the answer keys)

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