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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. What does Isabel do with a bucket of food scraps?

2. Of what crime is Isabel accused?

3. How does Captain Campbell respond initially to Isabel's request?

4. Why does Mrs. Lockton order Isabel into the middle of the skirmishes between the British and the Patriots?

5. Where is Isabel when she wakes?

Short Essay Questions

1. What news does Captain Morse give Isabel to give the prisoners hope?

2. Where is Isabel when she is finally is alert after her branding, and why can't Isabel stay there?

3. What does Becky tell Isabel about Ruth?

4. What is Isabel's physical state when she awakes after returning from Colonel Regen's camp?

5. What is Isabel's life like after returning to the Lockton household?

6. What happens after Isabel returns with Mr. Lockton from the docks?

7. To what horror does Isabel awaken one morning and how is Lady Seymour responding to the emergency?

8. What does Isabel take to the prisoners, and why is she allowed to do so?

9. Why is there more work for Isabel after British invade New York City?

10. How does Isabel save Lady Seymour's life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Over the course of "Chains", Isabel grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. "Chains" might be considered a slice of Isabel's "coming of age" story. It might be said that "Chains" is a "bildungsroman" of Isabel. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Isabel as he changes from a more carefree, innocent girl to a wiser, young woman. What are the significant events that change Isabel?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Isabel's growth throughout "Chains", do you think Chains could be considered Isabel's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in "Chains" who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

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