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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. Who is Curzon?

2. Where does Isabel go after she talks with Curzon?

3. How does Colonel Regen react to Isabel's news?

4. Who is Inkstained?

5. What does Isabel do as Ruth is falling asleep?

Short Essay Questions

1. What worries Isabel about Ruth being around Mrs. Lockton regularly?

2. Why does Isabel ask the pastor for work?

3. What happens when Isabel goes and talks to Colonel Regen?

4. What are Isabel and Ruth doing in the funeral procession, and what is important about the day for them?

5. What does Miss Finch's nephew do with Isabel and Ruth and who tries to intervene?

6. What is Isabel's assigned role in the Lockton household?

7. How does Isabel feel about Ruth's assigned role in the household?

8. What does Isabel struggle to do as she is working about the house?

9. What happens the morning after Isabel made a report to Curzon?

10. What happens when Miss Finch's nephew comes up while Isabel is talking to the Pastor?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Chains" belongs to the young teen historical fiction genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the young teen historical fiction genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a young teen historical fiction and a fantasy or mystery?

Essay Topic 2

Once again, Isabel is forced to deliver messages for various soldiers, putting herself in constant danger, to help care for those she loves. Initially, Isabel began this mission to save Ruth, but now she continues endangering herself to repay the debt she feels toward Curzon. Without Curzon, Isabel does not believe she would have survived the branding. It was Curzon who alerted Lady Seymour to her punishment, ensuring that she had a safe place to recover. Isabel knows she must deliver these messages as a way of thanking him.

1. What do you think of someone who keeps putting herself in danger for others? Use examples from "Chains" and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think the debt Isabel owes Curzon for talking to Lady Seymour is large enough for Isabel to be risking her life to help him in prison? Why or why not? Use examples from "Chains" and your own life to support your answer.

3. Considering that Isabel is a slave and has seen so much hate and immorality in her young life how do you think she has acquired such high standards of conduct and morality? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

4. What do you think it says about Curzon's character that he would ask Isabel to deliver messages when she's already been branded for helping the Patriots before? Use examples from "Chains" and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of freedom in "Chains". Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with freedom? Why? What are some symbols of freedom? Symbols of slavery? What characters are free? Why are they free?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in "Chains". Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of growing up and personal responsibility in "Chains". How does Isabel grow up? How does she try to get others to help her out of her situation? How does she finally end up taking responsibility for helping herself?

(see the answer keys)

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