Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. The characters in the novel experience various hardships due to the impact of World War II on Britain.

• What does the novel suggest about the theme The Importance of Family during times of hardship? (topic sentence)
• Explain how Ada’s family and those who live with her family contribute to their household structure, how they support one another, and why they draw closer as the war continues.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, describe what the novel suggests about the value of the family one chooses for oneself.

2. Lady Thornton must adapt to many changes during World War II because of the difficulties of living in Great Britain at the time.

• What beliefs and attitudes are altered in Lady Thornton because of wartime living? (topic sentence)
• Explain Lady Thornton’s attitude toward household chores, rationing, and Ruth early in the novel; Then, explain how her attitudes begin to change.