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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. How does the woman lead Sharpe to his men?

2. Who is Joaquim Jovellanos?

3. What does Harper say delays him?

4. What does Sharpe order his company to do after firing once?

5. What does Kearsey worry the Spanish will do if they do not receive the gold?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the English attack on the French in the village.

2. Describe Sharpe and Moreno's conversation.

3. What does Sharpe observe during the fighting between the Spanish and French and for whom does he look?

4. What does Sharpe ask Joaquim Jovellanos and what is Joaquim's reply?

5. Who is Michael Hogan and what does he tell Sharpe about Sharpe's mission?

6. What does Sharpe find when he follows the woman he later learns is Teresa?

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

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

9. What does Harper tell Sharpe as the company is being escorted by the Partisans?

10. What do they discover when they open the Moreno family vault and what is Sharpe's reaction?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many events that happen in Sharpe's gold are foreshadowed by previous events and/or signs. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "foreshadow."

2. Why would an author use foreshadowing? Do you think it adds or detracts from your experience as a reader? Explain.

3. Trace and analyze five instances of foreshadowing in Sharpe's Gold. Match up what is mentioned earlier and what it foreshadows. Did you guess that each instance of foreshadowing was a "heads up" of something to come? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 2

Sharpe accepts the challenge of the duel not only because he is bored, but because he feels he needs to redeem himself somehow. Perhaps by fighting the duel he can erase the mistakes of his past, honor his dead wife, and give himself some peace all at once.

1. Sharpe will participate in a dangerous duel because he feels guilty about his wife. How do you think guilt and reckless behavior are related? Use examples from the book and your own experience to support your answer.

2. Discuss some of the behaviors that teenagers in modern America might have because of feelings of guilt. How efficient do you think these behaviors are in erasing guilt?

3. Discuss constructive actions or behaviors a person might use or do in order to assuage guilt. Would any of these be available to Sharpe? Why or why not?

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 El Catolico. Include their goals, sense of honor, abilities, and social skills.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Wellington and Cox.

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)

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