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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 dead in the village?

2. Who is Lieutenant Colonel William Lawford?

3. What does Sharpe admit to Wellington?

4. Why does Kearsey upbraid Sharpe?

5. How is Kearsey performance as a guide?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does not agree with most of the others, but why is that not obvious?

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

3. Why is Harper proud and how much of his discovery is there?

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

5. Describe Sharpe's discussion with Wellington.

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

7. How does Sharpe threaten El Catolico's men?

8. Describe the encounter between Sharpe and Ayres.

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

10. Describe the scene when Sharpe apologizes to Ayres.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Cornwell has tried as much as possible to use historical events and facts around which to weave his work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think this book qualifies as an historical fiction? Why or why not?

2. If much of the events in the book are historical, what surprises you about the way the events play out?

3. Do you think the culture of that era is more or less advanced than you imagined? Explain.

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)

This section contains 1,203 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample