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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 is Sharpe's new assignment when he loses his command?

3. What type of ammo are the French firing at the breach?

4. What is Sharpe looking for as he wanders Ciudad Rodrigo?

5. What does Teresa ask Sharpe about herself?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens in Chapter 1 when night falls and what does Lawford send Sharpe and his company to do?

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

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

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

5. Who does Sharpe see in the new replacements that throws him off and what happens when he sees that person? How does he feel about the encounter?

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

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

8. Why is Sharpe's back scarred?

9. What does Sharpe do right after the conclusion of the battle at Ciudad Rodrigo?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Note that in the British military service, commissions could be purchased for monetary payments to the government. Thus, Rymer's appearance as an inexperienced captain means simply that he comes from a moneyed family. Leroy and Sharpe consider the process, theoretically corrupted, that leads to Rymer's commission.

1. Do you think that a wealthy person should be able to purchase a high rank in the military? Why or why not?

2. It seems that money has always had some sway over the military. In modern times one of the complaints against the Vietnam War is that "rich kids" didn't go. Explain how getting out of military duty because of wealth is as corrupt as obtaining a higher rank because of money.

3. Discuss why someone like Rymer who had enough money to purchase a captaincy would even enter the military and risk his life. Use examples from RICHARD SHARPE AND THE SIEGE OF BADAJOZ to support your answer.

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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