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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. Whom does Marguerite accompany to an expensive gathering at the governor's mansion?

2. What is the name of the horse that Duncan has had since he was a child?

3. Where does Jesse decide to go to look for a new job?

4. Where is the battle that Catesby and Samuel Gatewood's son are fighting in Part II, Chapter 19?

5. What happens when Alexander is sent to deliver a message to a particular group about to be hemmed in during the fighting in Part III, Chapter 28?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Abigail's Cousin Molly bring Sallie when she comes to visit her in jail?

2. What happens to Alexander during his first time in battle?

3. While attending church, what does Opal beg Jack to do for her?

4. What happens to Uther Botkin's wife, Martha?

5. What does Silas do to Ellam when he learns of his treatment of Maggie?

6. What does the prison keeper tell Sallie about Alexander during one of her visits with Cousin Molly?

7. What happens at the military institute, where Duncan is present to hear a speech, which causes a fight?

8. What was Miss Marguerite's name in 1857?

9. What does the judge sentence Sallie and Alexander to for being abolitionists?

10. How do Rufus and Jesse escape Stratford Plantation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Marguerite tells many stories of several different characters throughout the story. This is a literary device that writers use called a story-within-a-story. Explore the author's use of the literary device story-within-a-story in the novel "Jacob's Ladder". Is the author using stories-within-a-story to give it a more historical feel? Or is the author using stories-within-a-story to give background about particular characters or events? How is this literary device effective in the novel "Jacob's Ladder"?

Essay Topic 2

"Jacob's Ladder" is historical fiction which is a story that is set in the past. "Jacob's Ladder" is set in the Civil War in Virginia, and therefore, it is considered historical fiction. Examine the different historical references throughout "Jacob's Ladder". What makes "Jacob's Ladder" historical fiction? Does the author make a point of centering his story on actual events that happened during the Civil War? Does he use real places and dates? Does it make his story more believable? How does it enhance the story?

Essay Topic 3

Duncan and Midge have a tumultuous relationship, which is a very important conflict in "Jacob's Ladder". Analyze Midge and Duncan's relationship and its overall effect on the story. Where are they from? How did they meet? What do they look like? How do they feel about each other? Do they trust each other?

(see the answer keys)

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