View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens to Thompson when he leaves for the latrine?

2. How does Runciman feel about his new position?

3. What does Kiely have to do before he talks much in the morning?

4. Where are most of the women and children located at San Isidoro?

5. How much help is Sergeant Harper to Sharpe?

Short Essay Questions

1. What kind of problem do Sarsfield and Donaju bring to Sharpe and what is his response?

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

3. What does Kiely tell Sharpe about the French and about his men?

4. What is in the letter from the Spanish king to General Wellington that upsets him?

5. Who is the liaison officer between the Real Compañía Irlandesa and the British, what is he like, where has he served before and how does he feel about his appointment?

6. How does Juanita arrive at San Isidoro and what is the response of some of the men?

7. What happens to the Portuguese battalion in Loup's attack?

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

9. What are called the keys to Spain by the French and who holds them?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 Battle 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 3

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 Battle qualifies as an historical fiction? Why or why not?

2. If much of the events in Sharpe's Battle 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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,190 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample