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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 Lady Seymour say many people believe is the Christian thing to do?

2. What is Lady Seymour trying to do when Isabel finds her?

3. How does Isabel feel about Colonel Regen?

4. What does Isabel do once she is outside the house?

5. What happens to Curzon's hat?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Madam Lockton order Isabel to do when the British invade New York City?

3. Why do Isabel's days become a little easier?

4. What does Lady Semour request that infuriates Madam Lockton?

5. What happens on Sunday that has Madam Lockton elated?

6. Who comes to the window of the prison when Isabel calls for Curzon?

7. What happens when Isabel wakes the morning after eating the cookies and milk when she looks for Ruth?

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

9. How does Isabel learn about Curzon being in prison and about the conditions of the prison?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Chains" belongs to the young teen historical fiction genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the young teen historical fiction genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a young teen historical fiction and a fantasy or mystery?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which three secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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