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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. Where do Harper and Sharpe go to rescue Kearsey?

2. Who does El Catolico trust?

3. Why is one of Sharpe's man left alive?

4. Who are the only Spanish people fighting the war?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How do Sharpe and Teresa begin a romance?

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

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

6. Where and who are the Provosts and what is their purpose?

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

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

9. What does Kearsey reiterate about the gold?

10. Describe the encounter between Sharpe and Ayres.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

At the conclusion of a novel, most readers either consciously or unconsciously engage in processing the book and usually come to a conclusion as to whether they like the book or not. Discuss one of the following:

1. Would you consider Sharpe's Gold a "good" book? Why or why not? Use examples to illustrate your stance.

2. What do you think are the elements of an outstanding novel? Analyze one of your favorite novels to see if those elements are present.

3. What are some reasons you might consider a novel a failure? Analyze a novel you think is a failure and see if those elements are in that novel.

Essay Topic 3

Sharpe's Gold 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.

(see the answer keys)

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