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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 kills the French Colonel?

2. Where does Harper say the gold is?

3. What does Kearsey think he is doing?

4. How is the morale of the forces aligned against Napoleon?

5. Who guides Sharpe and Harper through the terrain?

Short Essay Questions

1. What sort of guide is Kearsey and why do the men find him annoying?

2. How do Harper and Sharpe capture an enemy lancer, and how does Teresa help them escape from the rest of the lancers?

3. Where do the men of Sharpe's company go?

4. What happens to Kearsey as he is returning to Sharpe's company?

5. Who is holding the gold and what does Kearsey know about the man and the situation?

6. What does Sharpe ask Joaquim Jovellanos and what is Joaquim's reply?

7. Who does not agree with most of the others, but why is that not obvious?

8. Describe the encounter between Sharpe and Ayres.

9. What do they discover when they open the Moreno family vault and what is Sharpe's reaction?

10. How does Sharpe threaten El Catolico's men?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the world of academe, historical fiction is often considered an inferior form of the novel compared to "classic" literature. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think historical fiction might be considered second-rate compared to the classics?

2. Do you think historical fiction has the same elements as the classics? Why or why not?

3. What are the purposes do you think for people reading "the classics"? What are the purposes for people reading historical fiction? Is one purpose better than another? Explain your response.

4. Would you read historical fiction even outside an educational setting? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Though this novel is probably more action driven rather than character driven, obviously there are several characters who make the novel what it is. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Sharpe and El Catolico. Include their goals, sense of honor, abilities, and social skills.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Wellington and Cox.

3. Thoroughly analyze the character of Richard Sharpe discussing both his strong and weak points and how both affect the outcome of the plot.

Essay Topic 3

Politics and manipulation influence much of what happens in Sharpe's Gold. Discuss one of the following:

1. Describe the political situation in Sharpe's Gold and how it impacts the actions of three of the major characters.

2. Discuss and analyze several people who try to manipulate Sharpe and his responses to them.

3. Discuss how and why Cox's behavior is related to politics and why his behavior is an example of manipulation. Use examples from the book to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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