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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. How did Isabel learn that Curzon was lying when he said he had been hired as a blacksmith?

2. Why did the soldiers of Curzon's company think that Isabel and Ruth had been separated from Curzon?

3. Why did Isabel decided not to linger in the French camp?

4. What did Mister Hallahan ask Isabel?

5. Who was Miss Marrow?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why were many of the men in Curzon's company from Rhode Island?

2. Why was Isabel grateful that Ruth did not say anything in the presence of Sergeant Armstrong?

3. Why was the British soldier in the woods deserting his army?

4. Why did Isabel not tell Ruth the truth about Aberdeen?

5. Why did Ruth's worry about Aberdeen increase as time went on?

6. Why did Isabel think that Ruth burned the free papers?

7. What was Curzon's manner like when he encountered Isabel and Ruth at his company's camp?

8. What kind of person was Miss Marrow?

9. Why did Isabel say that her purpose was to find Ruth some gingerbread?

10. Why was Ebeneezer angry with Curzon?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The cover flap of Ashes claims it is a "heart-pounding and riveting story." Write an essay in which you explain the literary devices and techniques that Anderson uses to create a narrative is heart-pounding and riveting.

Essay Topic 2

Ashes is an example of historical fiction. What about Ashes makes it fit into this genre? What work did Anderson need to do in order to effectively write a historical fiction novel? You may use outside research to support your argument.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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This section contains 900 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample