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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. What do the British need the most in their scapegoat for San Isidoro?

2. What position does Pierre Ducos have with the French military?

3. What do the French do to get to Sharpe's troops?

4. What does he tell Oliveira to do if Loup attacks?

5. Why will de Elia be meeting Loup?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Sharpe see when they arrive at the village where Loup is supposed to be and what does Sharpe do there?

2. What do Sharpe and his men find in the village when they get there?

3. What does Sharpe see from the hill he is on, and what does he decide to do about it? What changes his decision?

4. What is Sharpe ordered to do with the Real and why?

5. Where are the Real Compañía Irlandesa sent and how do the soldiers feel about their situation?

6. How does Juanita first see Loup, what is her impression and how do Loup and her feel when they meet?

7. What is happening with the Real Compañía Irlandesa that worries Sharpe?

8. Who is with the Portuguese and why is Sharpe happy about that?

9. How does Sharpe deal with the problem of desertion?

10. What does Sharpe ask Runciman to do and why has he asked him instead of the British command?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are a number of "villains" in Sharpe's Battle. Ducos, Juanita de Elia, Father Sarsfield and Loup.

1. Explain, with examples from the text, what you see are the main motivations behind Pierre Ducos's behavior. If he lived in America today with what crimes do you think he would be charged?

2. Sarsfield is a "villain" who does not seem to be motivated by self-interest. Discuss why or why not you believe this statement to be true. Use examples from Sharpe's Battle to support and illustrate your opinion.

3. Do you think crimes or immoral behavior motivated by good intentions is more pardonable than that motivated by self-interests? Why or why not? Use examples from Sharpe's Battle to support and illustrate your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

Most of the entire series of novels concerning Richard Sharpe takes place during the Napoleonic Wars; therefore understanding the political and social situation during that time helps to a greater understanding and appreciation of this book and others in the series. Discuss one of the following:

1. Research and write an expository essay about how the Napoleonic Wars begin and end.

2. Research and write an expository essay about the battles that take place on land between Britain and France during the Napoleonic Wars.

3. Compare/Contrast the importance of the British infantry during the Napoleonic Wars to the importance of the British infantry during either WWI or WWII.

4. Write an expository essay on how the Napoleonic War affects the social culture of one of the following countries: Britain, France, or Germany.

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of literary elements that occur in many works of fiction. Irony is a means of increasing both the humor and the complexity of a story. Cornwell often includes irony in his Richard Sharpe series. Point of view is the way the story is narrated; all works of fiction have a point of view. Conflict is almost always present in a work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary terms irony, point of view and conflict.

2. Identify two instances of irony in Sharpe's Battle, offering examples from the text.

3. Identify the point of view of the novel and discuss why you think Cornwell chooses to use that particular point of view. Does the point of view seem to be the best one for Sharpe's Battle? Why or why not.

4. Identfiy two major conflicts in Sharpe's Battle. Are the conflicts completely resolved by the end of Sharpe's Battle? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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