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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 would cause Sharpe serious problems?

2. What does Cornwell say Sharpe is determined not to lose in Sharpe's Ransom?

3. What does Gudin have to leave behind when a wagon breaks down?

4. What does Sharpe order Smith to do?

5. Why is General Picard disgruntled?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is General Picard upset? What pleases him about his men? Why does he think he is different from Gudin?

2. How did Cornwell feel about writing Sharpe's Christmas, and why did he feel that way?

3. What is Gudin told about Maria and what is his response?

4. What does Sharpe order when the French send in the voltiguers, and what does Sharpe's order tell the French?

5. What does Gudin do after Caillou breaks the truce?

6. Where does Sharpe send his skirmishers? What is the result?

7. What finally breaks up the French brigade's advance?

8. What does Cornwell say about Sharpe's Christmas in the introduction?

9. What does Cornwell briefly describe in the introduction?

10. What does Gudin think about when he thinks of India?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Richard Sharpe is in some ways a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, in Sharpe's Christmas and in the others in the series. Discuss the following:

1. Does having a larger-than-life hero make that person less of a hero? In other words, which is more admirable--a hero who ultimately always "lands on his feet," or one who strives against impossible odds and doesn't always succeed?

2. Does a character have to be successful in order to be a hero? Explain your answer.

3. Choose one other character besides Sharpe who you might call a hero/heroine and explain why you choose that person. Illustrate your statements with examples from the text.

4. Does every work of fiction have to have a hero? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Most protagonists are a mixture of admirable traits and character flaws, and Richard Sharpe is no exception. Sharpe's legendary powers of military strategy is juxtaposed with his reputation as a womanzier. Discuss the following:

1. Trace and analyze situations when Sharpe demonstrates his prodigious powers of military strategy. Give specific examples to illustrate your analysis.

2. Trace and analyze Sharpe's character flaws offering specific examples of these flaws in your discussion.

3. Discuss how you think Sharpe's admirable traits helped him obtain a high rank in the military despite his background as a child. Have his flaws impacted his career at all? Do any of those under his command seem to notice these flaws? Who? How does the reader know this?

(see the answer keys)

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