WorksheetsCh. 1 - 5 Ashes by Laurie Halse Anderson
Total questions: 15
Worksheet time: 8mins
Who is the narrator of the story?
Isabel
Ruth
Curzon
Becky
What is Isabel’s primary goal at the start of the novel?
To find her father
To escape from slavery
To find her sister Ruth
To join the army
What item does Isabel carry that reminds her of Ruth?
A ribbon
A doll
A letter
A necklace
Why is Isabel frustrated with Curzon in the opening chapters?
He wants to turn back
He hides important information from her
He talks too much
He’s not helping find Ruth
How does Isabel feel about the Revolutionary War at this point in the story?
She’s eager to join the Patriots
She sees it as a distraction from her own goals
She wants to fight for the British
She doesn’t know much about it
Why do Isabel and Curzon argue about money?
Isabel spends it without asking
Curzon wants to donate it
Isabel insists on saving it for their journey
Curzon hides it from her
What obstacle do Isabel and Curzon face early in their journey?
A snowstorm
Soldiers demanding papers
A broken wagon
Ruth getting sick
Which of the following best describes Isabel’s personality in the first five chapters?
Timid and quiet
Naive but curious
Determined and focused
Carefree and reckless
What tension exists between Isabel and Curzon?
A rivalry over leadership
Curzon wants to return to war, Isabel wants to find Ruth
Isabel is in love with Curzon, but he doesn’t notice
Curzon is jealous of Isabel’s freedom
Why is it dangerous for Isabel and Curzon to travel openly?
There are bandits in the area
They are wanted for theft
They could be captured as runaways
They are escaping from jail
What do Isabel’s flashbacks mostly focus on in these chapters?
Her life before the war
Her time with Ruth and their separation
Her education
Her feelings for Curzon
What does Isabel dream of when she imagines reuniting with Ruth?
Starting a new life in Canada
Returning to their old home
Being free and together
Joining the Patriots
What role does Curzon see for himself in Isabel’s journey?
A protector
A bystander
An advisor
A rival
How does Laurie Halse Anderson build suspense in these early chapters?
By using multiple narrators
Through fast-paced battle scenes
With Isabel’s uncertain future and their dangerous journey
Through letters and secret codes
What theme begins to emerge in Chapters 1–5?
Revenge
Loyalty and independence
Betrayal among friends
Love conquers all
