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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. How do the British defend against the Cuirassiers?

2. Why do the Belgian cavalry flee?

3. What order does Sharpe refuse to take to Halkett?

4. What does Sharpe order Doggett to do?

5. What do Harper and Sharpe contemplate?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Sharpe mitigate a complete disaster with the battalions under French cavalry attack?

2. What is the ultimate end of the second day of the novel?

3. What does the Duke of Wellington read at the ball that interrupts his participation? What does he do after he reads the dispatch?

4. Who does Sharpe see as he leaves Wellington to return to the crossroads? What does he do?

5. What are some of the types of infantry attack used in the battle for Quatre Bras?

6. Why are the Dutch-Belgium troops unable to fight well?

7. What do Rebecque and Sharpe decide Sharpe should do as they study a map of the area?

8. Why is the Duchess of Richmond apprehensive about John Rossendale?

9. What type of technical details are seen in Chapter 8?

10. What actions of the Dutch-Belgium cavalry in Chapter 7 tell the reader about their ability? What impressions might their actions give?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the conclusion of a novel, most readers either consciously or unconsciously engage in processing the book and usually come to a conclusion as to whether they like the book or not. Discuss one of the following:

1. Would you consider Sharpe's Waterloo a "good" book? Why or why not? Use examples to illustrate your stance.

2. What do you think are the elements of an outstanding novel? Analyze one of your favorite novels to see if those elements are present.

3. What are some reasons you might consider a novel a failure? Analyze a novel you think is a failure and see if those elements are in that novel.

Essay Topic 2

Sharpe, despite his background, is an officer and a gentleman and is, therefore, accorded more respect and trust, even in enemy territory, than the common soldier. Discuss the following:

1. Does it seem likely that officers are usually more respectable than enlisted men back then? What about today? Why or why not.

2. Sharpe refuses his wife a divorce and yet maintains a mistress. Do you think this is how an officer and gentleman comports himself? Why or why not.

3. In the present military in the United States, both officers and enlisted can be held for court martial for adultery or having sexual relations with someone of inferior rank. Why do you think this is so? Do you agree with the policy?

Essay Topic 3

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 Wars affect the social culture of one of the following countries: Britain, France, or Germany.

(see the answer keys)

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