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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What caused Ruth's fever?
(a) Cold weather.
(b) A snakebite.
(c) An infection in her foot.
(d) Eating rotten food.

2. Why did Serafina have Ruth and Aberdeen hide in the hayloft with Isabel and Curzon?
(a) Because she wanted them to have a rest from difficult labor.
(b) Because she did not want them to be beaten.
(c) Because she wanted them to protect Isabel.
(d) Because she wanted Prentiss to think they had already escaped.

3. Why were Serafina and Walter not trying to escape?
(a) They were too old and weak.
(b) They were afraid of getting caught.
(c) They had lived at Riverbend their whole lives and did not want to leave it.
(d) They wanted to stay to help other slaves that were passing through.

4. How did Ruth react when Isabel tried to complement her strength in the beginning of their travels together?
(a) She smiled shyly.
(b) She said, "Thank you."
(c) She put her hands over her ears.
(d) She ran away.

5. When Ruth learned that Isabel and Curzon intended to take her to Rhode Island, why did she refuse to go?
(a) Because she thought that Walter and Serafina need her.
(b) Because she hated Isabel.
(c) Because Rhode Island was too far away.
(d) Because she loved Aberdeen.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the following is Curzon overly afraid of?

2. What was the first kind thing that Serafina and Walter did for Isabel and Curzon?

3. What did Widow Hallahan offer Isabel in exchange for her work?

4. Which of the following was NOT part of the group of people Isabel and Curzon spotted from the tree at Riverbend?

5. How did Isabel know that Ruth was afraid of Prentiss?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Isabel and Curzon need to hide from the British soldiers?

2. Why did Isabel want people who saw her and Ruth wandering around town to think they were slaves?

3. Why did Serafina think Ruth should leave with Isabel?

4. After Ruth had a fit, in what ways did it become obvious to her companions that she was very sick?

5. What is the narrative point of view of Ashes?

6. What did Isabel believe was the worst thing that slave owners did to slaves?

7. After leaving Riverbend, Isabel stated that Curzon was growing more short-tempered by the day. What did she think was the cause of his change in mood?

8. How did Anderson illustrate Ruth’s love of animals throughout their time at Riverbend?

9. How did Curzon help ease tensions upon their arrival at Riverbend?

10. Why did Ruth call the donkey Thomas Boon?

(see the answer keys)

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