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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. For what is Hogan irritated at Sharpe when Hogan arrives at San Cristobal?

2. With what is Sharpe cutting his hair?

3. What will calling Sharpe to task do?

4. Who wants to become Generalissimo of Spain?

5. What does Tarrant call the two soldiers with him?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the second large battle for Fuentes de Onoro start and which British troops are involved?

2. How does Sharpe kill Loup and how is Sharpe wounded?

3. What is Wellington doing when he realizes he has made a mistake, and what is that mistake?

4. Who and what does Sharpe find at a house in San Cristobal?

5. What is Valverde's argument about Sharpe?

6. What does Hogan say to Sarsfield?

7. How does Hogan set up confronting Father Sarsfield?

8. What is Kiely's reaction to Juanita being caught by Sharpe?

9. How do Sharpe and his men help the southern troops?

10. What does Sharpe do when he hears Loup shouting out commands in the battle and what do the soldiers around them do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 Kiely. Include their goals, sense of honor, abilities and social skills. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Harper and Oliveira. Include their goals, sense of honor, abilities and social skills. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Thoroughly analyze the character of Richard Sharpe discussing both his strong and weak points and how both affect the outcome of the plot. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in Sharpe's Battle.

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

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

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of literary elements that occur in many works of fiction. Irony is a means of increasing both the humor and the complexity of a story. Cornwell often includes irony in his Richard Sharpe series. Point of view is the way the story is narrated; all works of fiction have a point of view. Conflict is almost always present in a work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary terms irony, point of view and conflict.

2. Identify two instances of irony in Sharpe's Battle, offering examples from the text.

3. Identify the point of view of the novel and discuss why you think Cornwell chooses to use that particular point of view. Does the point of view seem to be the best one for Sharpe's Battle? Why or why not.

4. Identfiy two major conflicts in Sharpe's Battle. Are the conflicts completely resolved by the end of Sharpe's Battle? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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