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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 Teresa and El Catolico say Hardy is?

2. To what does Teresa admit?

3. How does Kearsey fall off his horse?

4. How does the woman lead Sharpe to his men?

5. What does Harper relate to Knowles?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Describe Sharpe's discussion with Wellington.

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

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

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

7. How do Harper and Sharpe capture an enemy lancer, and how does Teresa help them escape from the rest of the lancers?

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

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

10. Describe the scene when Sharpe apologizes to Ayres.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in Sharpe's Gold.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of Sharpe's Gold. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Sharpe's Honour. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 3

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.

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