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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. What does Sharpe find as he is digging in the grave?

2. What does Sharpe admit to Wellington?

3. Who is dead in the village?

4. Who does Sharpe take as a hostage?

5. What does El Catolico plan to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why are Sharpe's men angry and sad as they enter the village?

2. What happens to Kearsey as he is returning to Sharpe's company?

3. Where do the men of Sharpe's company go?

4. What does Sharpe decide to do based upon what Harper tells him?

5. Who is Cox and what does Sharpe learn from him?

6. Why is the mood somber in Chapter one among the forces allied against Napoleon?

7. What happens when Sharpe begins to dig in the grave?

8. Who are discussing Sharpe's state of mind?

9. Describe the encounter between Sharpe and Ayres.

10. Describe Sharpe's company's escape from the village where the gold was.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Politics and manipulation influence much of what happens in Sharpe's Gold. Discuss one of the following:

1. Describe the political situation in Sharpe's Gold and how it impacts the actions of three of the major characters.

2. Discuss and analyze several people who try to manipulate Sharpe and his responses to them.

3. Discuss how and why Cox's behavior is related to politics and why his behavior is an example of manipulation. Use examples from the book to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze one major theme of Sharpe's Gold. 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 Sharpe's Gold. 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 Sharpe's Gold? Which theme in Sharpe's Gold speaks to you the most in your life? Why?

Essay Topic 3

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 Sharpe's Gold. 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 Sharpe's Gold 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 may 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.

(see the answer keys)

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