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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 is supposed to arrive via rail the day of the holiday in Part III, Chapter 42, which has the men so excited?

2. Who has died in Part IV, Chapter 60, that the grandmother continually prayers about?

3. What is the name of the surgeon who reminds Jesse that he will put money into a savings account for any man that requests it?

4. What is Alexander's explanation for why he is a member of the renegade group?

5. Where does Duncan return to two days after Christmas in Part IV, Chapter 60?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why have the renegades stopped the Danzinger family and Alexander's buggy in Part IV, Chapter 44?

2. After being captured, what does Alexander say when one of the officers asks him what happened to make him fall into this group?

3. How does Marguerite take control of the situation when Mingo leaves Kizzy pregnant and distraught on the road out of Wilmington?

4. After being captured, why are the black soldiers pleading with the Confederates to be released?

5. What does Sallie realize about her Cousin Molly's attitude in Part IV, Chapter 50?

6. How does Jesse describe Abraham Lincoln after he sees him coming down the road in Part IV, Chapter 52?

7. After telling his wife, Leona, in a letter that he has become a Christian, what does Catesby urge his wife, Leona, to do?

8. Where does Jesse take Duncan after getting him out of the Confederate prison?

9. While traveling on their way home from a prayer meeting, what does young Seth Danzinger talk about with Alexander?

10. What does Jesse learn that the surgeon name Potts has done that upsets him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The resolution is of a series of events that follow the climax of the story, and therefore provides the conclusion of the story. Examine the resolution in "Jacob's Ladder", particularly how it pertains to all the different characters. Is the resolution in "Jacob's Ladder" satisfying? Should it have ended it differently? How does Jesse deal with never finding Marguerite? Compare the resolution in "Jacob's Ladder" to resolutions in other books the class has read.

Essay Topic 2

In Part II, Chapter 26, Jesse and Rufus run away and learn that Abraham Lincoln has made the Emancipation Proclamation. Jesse and Rufus have no idea what they are taking about. Research the Emancipation Proclamation and examine how it affected the Civil War and slavery. How did it affect the outcome of the war? What did it entail? Why would Jesse or Rufus not know anything about it? When was it put into effect?

Essay Topic 3

The war has caused tremendous changes not only in the characters but also in society. Each character deals with these changes in a different way. Analyze the theme of change in the novel, particularly how it pertains to society. How have these changes affected the characters? What changes have been for the better? What changes have been for the worse? Does something as catastrophic as war need to happen to bring about great change?

(see the answer keys)

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