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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 was Ruth's main responsibility at the laundry?

2. How did Isabel feel when she realized that Walter and Serafina had become like family to Ruth?

3. What advice did Isabel receive from the short serving woman she met on the main street of Williamsburg?

4. How did Ruth react when Isabel tried to complement her strength in the beginning of their travels together?

5. How were the soldiers by the milestone distracted from Isabel's movement in the woods?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why did Aberdeen know Ruth better than Isabel did?

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

5. 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?

6. Why did Isabel think that Curzon should not go searching for food for Ruth?

7. What advice did Walter give Ruth before leaving her with Isabel, Curzon and Aberdeen?

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

9. Why did Isabel cry when talking to Serafina?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Ashes, there are many situations in which characters lie, whether for the sake of their safety, for malicious purposes, or simply because they are unsure if the person they are speaking to can face the truth. Write an essay exploring the issue of lying within this novel.

Essay Topic 2

In the beginning of Ashes, Isabel claims that she wants to remain as far away from the war as possible. Eventually, though, she does choose a side. Write an essay analyzing the development of Isabel's perception of the Revolution and what caused her opinions to change on this topic.

Essay Topic 3

Any novel set during a war is obviously rife with external conflict. But characters in Ashes all experience internal conflict as well. Choose three characters from Ashes and analyze one major internal conflict, as well as one major external conflict, that each one faces. Which conflict affects each character most?

(see the answer keys)

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