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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 is Sharpe ordered to do at the fort?

2. How many muskets does a priest discover at the fort?

3. What motivated Teresa to becomes a soldier?

4. What does Sharpe have disposed of, found in the fort?

5. What does Herault now command?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Harper say about Major Tubbs when asked by Sharpe?

2. What is Herault doing with Ducos?

3. How does Sharpe scare Tubbs about a woman riding with a group of rebels and why is it funny?

4. Why does Teresa become enraged about what she hears about Avila?

5. Describe the situation with the wine that is found in the fort at San Miguel.

6. Describe the setting and mission for Captain Richard Sharpe.

7. How does Herault gain command of the South Army's horsemen?

8. How does Sharpe begin to prepare for the arrival of the French?

9. What does Teresa want to do and what does Sharpe suggest?

10. What does Ducos think of Herault's plan.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in "Sharpe's Skirmish". Does the setting make a unique contribution to the plot? If it were some other country, how would the plot be affected? If it were some other time?

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of "Sharpe's Skirmish". How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of "Sharpe's Skirmish". How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 2

Cornwell has tried as much as possible to use historical events and facts around which to weave his work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think "Sharpe's Skirmish" qualifies as an historical fiction? Why or why not?

2. If much of the events in the story are historical, what surprises you about the way the events play out?

3. Do you think the culture of that era is more or less advanced than you imagined? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

In any book centered around the military, leadership of the troops is often crucial with the better leaders able to command the respect and loyalty of their men. The men's willingness to follow a particularly leader can have a decisive impact upon the success of a mission. Discuss the following:

1. Whose command style seems most effective among the leaders--Sharpe, Harper, Price, Paillertie, Herault? Analyze the elements of those effective leaders thoroughly and discuss the traits of the good leaders. What makes an excellent leader/commander? Give examples.

2. Whose command style seems most ineffective among the leaders--Sharpe, Harper, Price, Paillertie, Herault? Analyze the elements of those ineffective leaders thoroughly and discuss the traits of the poor leaders. What makes a poor leader/commander? Give examples.

3. Is disobeying a poor leader ever justifiable? Explain using details from the text, other books you have read and your personal experience. In times of war, disobeying an order can be punishable by death. Is this harsh sentence justifiable for such an act? Why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 988 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample