View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where is Badajoz located?

2. What happens when the charges blow at the dam?

3. Where does Sharpe lead his men?

4. What does Wellington decide as the assault falters in Chapter 24?

5. What does Windham realize as he watches the maneuvers at the dam?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Wellington call, why is Sharpe present and what does Sharpe request? How does Wellington respond to Sharpe's request?

2. What has the French built across the Rivillas Stream and what do the British do about it?

3. What does Rymer say about his blotched mission, what does he decide to do and what does Sharpe do in response?

4. Where is the British forces camped in relation to Badajoz and what do Sharpe and Harper think will be the only way to assault the city?

5. What does Sharpe say when Hogan informs him of the plan for the dam and what is the plan?

6. What is foreshadowed in Sharpe's humiliation of Hakeswill?

7. What is Sharpe doing at the beginning of the assault on Badajoz?

8. Why does Wellington decide Badajoz has to be taken immediately?

9. What is Robert Knowles doing at the beginning of the attack and who does he think about when planning his actions?

10. Why does Windham realize he made a mistake and what does he do to mitigate it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

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

Though this novel is probably more action driven rather than character driven, obviously there are several characters who make the novel what it is. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Sharpe and Rymer. Include their goals, sense of honor, abilities and social skills.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Harper and Hakeswill.

3. Thoroughly analyze the character of Richard Sharpe discussing both his strong and weak points and how both affect the outcome of the plot.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,251 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample