Chains Comprehension Questions & Reading Journal
4.5 out of 5, (8 ratings on Open Library)
Chains has 45 chapters · 326 pages
Book 1 of the Seeds of America series
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Inside the journal: 45 chapter pages, one question each · 3 example answers · a cover for your reader’s name
Written for this book Questions about this story, good after any chapter.
At this point in the story, what do you understand about Isabel's situation, and which details from the text helped you figure that out?See all 45 questions ↓
About the book
If an entire nation could seek its freedom, why not a girl? As the Revolutionary War begins, thirteen-year-old Isabel wages her own fight...for freedom. Promised freedom upon the death of their owner, she and her sister, Ruth, in a cruel twist of fate become the property of a malicious New York City couple, the Locktons, who have no sympathy for the American Revolution and even less for Ruth and Isabel.
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Chains questions by chapter
We know the book, its characters, setting and story, but not what happens in each chapter. So every question is written for this book, and any of them works wherever your reader has just stopped. One question per chapter, across all 45 chapters, and every one is editable before you print. The example answers under 3 of the chapters are the ones printed at the front of the booklet.
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Chapter 1
At this point in the story, what do you understand about Isabel's situation, and which details from the text helped you figure that out?
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Chapter 2
In the pages you read, how does Isabel show that she cares about Ruth? Give one example and explain what it shows about Isabel.
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Chapter 3
What do you notice about the choices Isabel can make and the choices she is not allowed to make? What causes those limits?
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Chapter 4
Which character seems to have the most power right now? How does Laurie Halse Anderson show that power?
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Chapter 5
What question would you ask Isabel if you could talk to her at this point in the book, and why would you ask it?
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Chapter 6
How does the setting of colonial America affect the problems Isabel faces so far?
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Chapter 7
Choose one strong word or phrase from the chapter you just read. What do you think it means, and why is it important?
Example answer: One strong phrase I noticed was about chains. I think it means more than metal that locks someone up. It also means the rules, fear, and unfair power that keep Isabel from living freely. The word is important because the whole book keeps making me think about what freedom really means.
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Chapter 8
How are Patriots and Loyalists talked about so far, and why might that difference matter to an enslaved girl like Isabel?
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Chapter 9
Describe one moment that felt unfair to you. What made it unfair, and how did Isabel react?
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Chapter 10
What impression do you have of Madam Lockton so far? Use details from the story to support your thinking.
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Chapter 11
How does Ruth's presence change Isabel's thoughts, feelings, or actions?
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Chapter 12
What has Curzon said or done that affects Isabel's choices? Do you think she should trust him? Why or why not?
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Chapter 13
How does Laurie Halse Anderson help you understand Isabel's fear, hope, or anger in this part of the story?
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Chapter 14
Which object, place, or repeated idea seems important in the story right now? Explain why you noticed it.
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Chapter 15
What choice or problem is Isabel facing now, and what risks might come with each possible decision?
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Chapter 16
How does New York City feel as a setting so far: safe, dangerous, busy, confusing, or something else? Use details from the book.
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Chapter 17
Compare what Isabel says or does on the outside with what she thinks or feels on the inside. Why might she hide her true feelings?
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Chapter 18
What does freedom mean to Isabel so far? Is it the same thing that freedom means to the adults around her? Explain.
Example answer: To me, freedom means Isabel being able to make choices for herself and protect Ruth. It is not just about the war or which side wins. Some adults talk about freedom for the colonies, but they still do not treat Isabel as free. That makes the word freedom feel complicated and unfair.
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Chapter 19
How does the author show that slavery hurts both a person's body and a person's spirit?
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Chapter 20
What prediction can you make about Isabel's next important decision? What evidence from the story supports your prediction?
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Chapter 21
Which adult in the story seems most helpful, harmful, or complicated so far? Explain your choice.
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Chapter 22
How do secrets and information create danger or opportunity for Isabel?
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Chapter 23
What have you learned about Mr. Lockton so far, and why might Isabel need to be careful around him?
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Chapter 24
How is trust difficult for Isabel? Choose one relationship from the story and explain.
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Chapter 25
What scene from the reading would you draw if you were making an illustration? Describe the important visual details.
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Chapter 26
Which line, thought, or conversation from the chapter stayed with you? Explain why it seemed important.
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Chapter 27
How do rules or laws affect Isabel's life in this part of the book? Do they seem fair or unfair? Why?
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Chapter 28
How does Isabel use observation, intelligence, or quick thinking to survive?
Example answer: I think Isabel survives by watching people carefully and noticing what they care about. She does not always have power, so she has to use her mind. She pays attention to danger before she acts. This shows that she is brave, but also smart enough to be cautious.
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Chapter 29
What does the title Chains make you think about at this point? Include both real chains and invisible kinds of chains.
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Chapter 30
How does the war make life more dangerous for people who have little power, such as Isabel and Ruth?
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Chapter 31
What has changed most for Isabel since the beginning of the book? How has that change affected her?
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Chapter 32
Which character would you like to understand better right now? What are you curious or confused about?
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Chapter 33
How does hope appear in this part of the story, even when things are very hard?
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Chapter 34
Describe a mistake, misunderstanding, or hard choice that affects Isabel. What can a reader learn from it?
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Chapter 35
How does the author use sounds, smells, sights, or feelings to make the setting seem real?
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Chapter 36
What does friendship, or possible friendship, mean in Isabel's world? Use an example from the story so far.
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Chapter 37
When Isabel is treated unjustly, how does she respond on the inside and on the outside?
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Chapter 38
What is one thing Isabel wants that is different from what powerful people around her want?
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Chapter 39
How do names, identity, or being truly seen matter in the story so far?
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Chapter 40
If you could give Isabel one piece of advice based on what you know right now, what would it be and why?
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Chapter 41
What is the mood of this part of the book? What details create that mood?
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Chapter 42
How has your opinion of one character changed as you have read? What caused the change?
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Chapter 43
What is Isabel learning about promises or bargains? Give an example from the story so far.
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Chapter 44
Which theme seems strongest right now: freedom, courage, family, loyalty, or survival? Explain your thinking.
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Chapter 45
Looking back over the whole reading so far, what do you think Isabel's biggest chain is, and what might help her break it?
Discussion questions for after Chains
Bigger questions for when the book is finished, each printed on its own ruled page at the end of the booklet.
- How does Isabel change over the whole book? Think about her courage, her choices, her feelings about trust, and her love for Ruth. Use important moments from the beginning, middle, and end of the story to explain what causes those changes.
- What do you think Chains is really about beyond Isabel's personal story? Write about one or two big themes, such as freedom, family, survival, or the difference between what people say and what they do. Explain how the Revolutionary War setting helps show those ideas.
More by Laurie Halse Anderson
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More ready-made journals
How to use this Chains reading journal
At home, as a discussion guide
After each chapter your reader writes a few lines on that chapter’s question. Read the answer together at bedtime: it shows what they understood and gives you something real to talk about, without a quiz.
In class, as a novel study
Print a class set (booklets fold from plain letter paper) and use one question per chapter as the reading-response or literature-circle prompt. The example answers at the front show what a full answer looks like.
Homeschool
One booklet covers the whole book, 45 chapters, so it doubles as the reading log for Chains. Reword any question before printing to match your reader.
Printing
The booklet PDF prints on ordinary 8.5 × 11 paper: print double-sided (flip on the short edge) at 100%, fold the stack in half and staple on the fold. There is also a one-page-per-sheet PDF and A5 binder pages.
Where the questions come from
Questions about this story, good after any chapter. We know the book, its characters, setting and story, but not what happens in each chapter. So every question is written for this book, and any of them works wherever your reader has just stopped. The questions were drafted with AI from what is known about the book and checked before publishing; every one is editable before you print.