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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. Why will de Elia be meeting Loup?

2. What are the two keys of Spain, according to the French?

3. What are the two Frenchmen in the village doing when Sharpe arrives?

4. What does Sharpe convince Runciman to do?

5. What does Sharpe decide to do to the two French prisoners?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Sharpe do with the two French prisoners and how does he handle Loup's anger?

3. How does Sharpe find out what happened to the Portuguese ammunition wagons?

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

5. What happens to the Real Compañía Irlandesa officers in Loup's attack?

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

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

8. Describe the battle at the barracks when Loup's troops attack.

9. How does the Portuguese battalion arrive, with whom does Sharpe meet, what kind of man is he and why is the battalion there?

10. What does Sharpe asks El Castrador about the village where Loup is and who goes there with Sharpe?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sharpe's Battle, like many, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why? not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Sharpe's Battleand whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Sharpe's Battleis or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze one major theme of Sharpe's Battle. Consider the following: How does one character's actions portray the theme you are analyzing? How does the setting contribute to that theme? Is the theme one that you would call a "universal theme"? If so, what other book or novel that you have read also includes this theme. If not, why don't you think it is a "universal" theme?

2. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Sharpe's Battle. How does one character's actions portray the themes you are analyzing? How does the setting contribute to those themes? Is each theme one that you would call a "universal theme"? If so, what other book or novel that you have read also includes this theme. If not, why don't you think it is a "universal" theme?

3. What benefit is there in discussing and analyzing the themes of a work of fiction? Do you think most authors consciously develop themes in their works? Why or why not? Can there be accidental themes? What do you think is one possible "accidental" theme in Sharpe's Battle? Which theme in Sharpe's Battlespeaks to you the most in your life? Why?

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 War affects the social culture of one of the following countries: Britain, France, or Germany.

(see the answer keys)

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