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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. Why does Alexander demand that he be treated as a prisoner of war while in prison?

2. Why does the surgeon in Part III, Chapter 28, insist that all the Union soldiers be taken to another surgeon for the rest of the evening?

3. What do some of Samuel's slaves offer to help Uther Botkin's slave with?

4. What is Alexander quickly set up as in his new regiment because of his education and ability?

5. To whom is Alexander Kirkpatrick married?

Short Essay Questions

1. What incident does Miss Marguerite begin with when telling her story to the young woman in Part I, Chapter 1?

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

3. In Part III, Chapter 28, how does Maggie, now known as Marguerite, feel about her life with Silas?

4. How does Opal help Uther Botkin with his daughter and his farm?

5. Why is the woman at the beginning of Part I, Chapter 1, traveling the countryside?

6. How is Alexander assigned to Duncan's regiment?

7. What is Jesse's new job in Part III, Chapter 31, at the hospital?

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

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

10. What does a superior officer say to Duncan and his fellow cadets after they rush to get their weapons and regain their honor when the Union cadets pick a fight with them?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The novel "Jacob's Ladder: A Story of Virginia During the War", is a novel centered around the Civil War. Research and study the Civil War and how it began. How did the Civil War start? What state was the first to secede? What did the soldiers who were in the Civil War have to endure? Why did the Civil War start? How did the soldiers feel at the beginning of the Civil War? Who was the president during the Civil War, for both sides, Union and Confederate?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout "Jacob's Ladder" there are families that grow, families that are torn apart, and families that stick together. Love is what binds these families together and the lack of love is often what tears them apart. Analyze the theme of family and love throughout the novel. How important is the theme of family in the novel? What examples from the book demonstrate how much Samuel's family means to him? What does family mean to Marguerite? Whom does she love?

Essay Topic 3

Marguerite and Silas's relationship has quickly changed and grown into something more. In fact, Silas treats Jacob, Marguerite's child, as if he were his own. Analyze Silas and Marguerite's relationship and discuss how it changes throughout the novel. How do Silas and Marguerite meet? How does Marguerite really feel about Silas? Is she just using him for money? How does Silas really feel about Marguerite? Why is Marguerite worried about having a child with Silas?

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