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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 does Mrs. Lockton dress Ruth?

2. Who pleads for the girls' welfare?

3. Who does Becky say nearly died?

4. Who comes knocking on the Lockton's door the next morning?

5. For what do the Loyalists want money?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. About what does Becky warn Isabel?

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

4. What happens when Miss Finch's nephew comes up while Isabel is talking to the Pastor?

5. What does Becky Berry tell Isabel about Ruth?

6. Why does Isabel ask the pastor for work?

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

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

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

10. How does Ruth act about the fall she has in the kitchen, and what does Ruth not seem to understand?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "Chains" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Chains" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

4. Would you say "Chains" had a happy ending? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as "Chains" help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading "Chains"? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in "Chains" to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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