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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. In what kind of physical condition is Sharpe?

2. What does Lawford tell Sharpe about his assignment?

3. What does Hogan say Teresa is still doing?

4. How long has Leroy known Sharpe?

5. How does the encounter with the man in question # 65 affect Sharpe?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Leroy tell Sharpe, who does he point out to Sharpe and what does Sharpe realize when that happens?

2. What does Teresa confess to Sharpe?

3. How does the assault on Ciudad Rodrigo seem to the British at first?

4. What guerrilla rider approaches Sharpe and what does she tell him? What does she look like?

5. Who is Captain Leroy and what kind of relationship does Sharpe have with him?

6. What do Hogan and Sharpe discuss when they get together and what is Hogan's opinion of taking Badajoz?

7. What is Sharpe's new assignment he receives from Windham and what does he ask Windham? How does Windham respond?

8. What does Sharpe do with his guerrilla friend?

9. What siege does Sharpe participate in at the beginning of Chapter 1 and how does he pass his time when not fighting?

10. What does Teresa ask Sharpe about during sex?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Usually the women in this series are background to the men and tend to fit a stereotype of women in this era of history. This book has a different type of woman, Teresa Morgan, who is a guerrilla soldier and leader of her riders.

1. Present and analyze the treatment of women in RICHARD SHARPE AND THE SIEGE OF BADAJOZ.

2. Cornwell is trying to be historically accurate, so is his treatment of women in his book(s) justified?

3. Is there any way Cornwell could have presented women in a more positive light and still stayed historically accurate? Explain.

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 has resumed his affair with Teresa while still considering marrying Jane Gibbons. 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

Much of the writing consists of a brutal and graphic description of the mass rape and pillaging that transpires in Badajoz after the British assault. The Historical Note points out that the outrage was historical and far more vicious than typical for the time. The novel seeks to explore possible reasons behind the violent outburst and does so with some success.

1. Why do you think the outrage at Badajoz was worst than usual for that time period? Use examples from Richard Sharpe and the Siege of Badajoz and any historical data you find through research to support your answer.

2. With some research into the issue, discuss why you think men commit rape so often in battle field situations.

3. Do you think men have evolved to the point of not raping in battle field situations or do you think the reason it doesn't happen to the same extent as in Sharpe's era is because the military has better control over its men? Explain your reasoning.

(see the answer keys)

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