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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. Who is the father of Teresa's child?

2. What was Hakeswill's punishment for the crime in question # 76?

3. As the British are marching to Badajoz what slows their progress?

4. What does Hogan think about the comparison between Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz?

5. How much effort is needed for the forlorn hope to reach the base of the breach?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why is Sharpe's back scarred?

3. What happens to Sharpe's and Teresa's relationship when the army leaves for Badajoz? Where will Teresa be staying in Badajoz? Upon what is she counting on from Sharpe?

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

5. What does Teresa ask Sharpe about during sex?

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

7. Why might Badajoz be difficult to capture? Has anyone ever tried to capture it?

8. Describe Hakeswill's character and why he is in the army.

9. Who reports to Sharpe when reinforcements arrive for the battalion, what mistake does he make and what does he do after he is corrected?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Honor is an important concept in RICHARD SHARPE AND THE SIEGE OF BADAJOZ and in the life of those in the upper class during that era. It is assumed that those who are officer's and gentlemen would keep their word after offering it.

1. Trace and analyze the theme of honor in RICHARD SHARPE AND THE SIEGE OF BADAJOZ. What do you think Richard Sharpe would tell you is the definition of honor if you ask him? How about Harper? Windham? Do you think honor can be restored if it is lost? Did Windham restore his honor by giving Harper the gold coin? What about when he publicly apologized?

2. Respond to the following statement using specific examples from the book and your own experience: Honor is one of the most important character traits for anyone in any social strata. First fully define the concept of honor, then discuss whether you believe the preceding statement is true with specific examples from RICHARD SHARPE AND THE SIEGE OF BADAJOZ and other books/films, etc... that you have read or experienced.

3. During the era in which Richard Sharpe lives, men could give their word on the basis of being a gentleman and it is assumed to be true. There was no such concept for a lady or anyone of lower social/economic groups. Fully discuss the implications in a society where only gentlemen are considered trustworthy enough to give their word unquestioned.

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Essay Topic 2

Richard Sharpe is in some ways a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, in RICHARD SHARPE AND THE SIEGE OF BADAJOZ 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

In any book centered around the military, leadership of the troops is often crucial with the better leaders able to command the respect and loyalty of their men. The men's willingness to follow a particularly leader can have a decisive impact upon the success of a mission. Discuss the following:

1. Whose command style seems most effective? Analyze the elements of those effective leaders thoroughly and discuss the traits of the good leaders. What makes an excellent leader/commander? Give examples.

2. Whose command style seems most ineffective? Analyze the elements of those ineffective leaders thoroughly and discuss the traits of the poor leaders. What makes a poor leader/commander? Give examples.

3. Is disobeying a poor leader ever justifiable? Explain using details from the text, other books you have read and your personal experience. In times of war, disobeying an order can be punishable by death. Is this harsh sentence justifiable for such an act? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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