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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. To what does El Catolico admit?

2. Who kills the French Colonel?

3. What pleases Knowles as he arrives at the manure pile?

4. With what is Ramon impressed?

5. How is Kearsey performance as a guide?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Sharpe think of Major Kearsey and why does Sharpe have to deal with the man?

4. Who is holding the gold and what does Kearsey know about the man and the situation?

5. What sort of guide is Kearsey and why do the men find him annoying?

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

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

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

9. How do Sharpe and Teresa begin a romance?

10. What does Kearsey reiterate about the gold?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

Sharpe's Gold, like many, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why? not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Sharpe's Gold and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Sharpe's Gold is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. State what you think are three characteristics of a successful novel and whether or not Sharpe's Gold in your opinion is a successful novel.

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This section contains 1,133 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample