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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 does Sharpe think his future is doubtful?

2. What does Teresa do to Hakeswill?

3. In Chapter 8, what begins to arrive for the battalion?

4. From what country is Captain Leroy?

5. For what does Matthews mistake Sharpe?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Teresa confess to Sharpe?

4. Why are Sharpe and Harper relieved about their company's role in the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo? What will their role be?

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

6. Why is Sharpe worried following the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo in Chapter 5?

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

8. What does Sharpe discuss with Lawford and what does Lawford tell him?

9. What do Sharpe and Hogan discuss when they see each other in Chapter 1?

10. What kind of obstacle does the River Guadiana pose for the British and how do they surmount it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The military way of life is in and of itself similar to a distinct culture. Understanding how the military is organized, how it operates, and its basic rules of conduct will make any novel that centers on the military more understandable and enjoyable. Discuss one of the following:

1. Describe and analyze the military structure during the time of RICHARD SHARPE AND THE SIEGE OF BADAJOZ. What is rank? What is the difference between officers and enlisted men? How serious is it to disobey an order? What happens if one decides he does not like being in the military and walks away? How are men conscripted? Does the infantry have a similar means of augmenting their ranks as the maritime action called "impressments"?

2. Compare the infantry of RICHARD SHARPE AND THE SIEGE OF BADAJOZ to that in modern times in for the United States, England or France. What are the similarities? The differences? Are the changes from those times improvements? Why or why not? (This question will require some research).

3. Discuss why you think the military has the following: Uniforms, a rank structure of Officers and Enlisted, Strict Discipline, Training for New Recruits, Court Martial, and Different types of companies (i.e., rifle, Cavalry, artillery, etc). Discuss why you think men (and nowadays women) choose to become professional soldiers.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze one major theme of RICHARD SHARPE AND THE SIEGE OF BADAJOZ. 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 RICHARD SHARPE AND THE SIEGE OF BADAJOZ. 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 RICHARD SHARPE AND THE SIEGE OF BADAJOZ? Which theme in RICHARD SHARPE AND THE SIEGE OF BADAJOZ speaks to you the most in your life? Why?

Essay Topic 3

RICHARD SHARPE AND THE SIEGE OF BADAJOZ is one book in a series of novels involving Richard Sharpe. Discuss the following.

1. What are two advantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Illustrate your statements with details from the text.

2. What is a disadvantage of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Illustrate your statements with details from the text.

3. Do you prefer to read a standalone book, or a series of books with the same main characters? Explain your response.

(see the answer keys)

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