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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. In whose honor do the men take the village?

2. Why does Helene shoot people around her wagon?

3. To what do the British soldiers put on a brave face?

4. In what castle's dungeon is Sharpe languishing?

5. How did Helene feel about her husband?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Sharpe and Harper discover about Helene and what do they do?

2. What do the French do at the end of the battle of Vitoria and what does King Joseph do?

3. What do the British do when they arrive at Vitoria and how do they feel about what they are facing?

4. What does La Marquesa tell Sharpe in Chapter Sixteen about his situation and what does she and Montbrun want Sharpe to do?

5. What does Helene tell Sharpe about the plot against Sharpe and how does he feel about it?

6. What does La Marquesa do after it is obvious the British have won and what happens to her?

7. In what shape is Sharpe at the beginning of Chapter Sixteen and what does he think about?

8. How does Sharpe escape from Verigny?

9. Where does La Marquesa want Sharpe to take her?

10. What does General Verigny ask from Sharpe and what is his response?

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

In chapter three, the reader learns through Patrick Harper that Sharpe is bored and gets into trouble when he is bored. Sharpe accepts the challenge of the duel not only because he is bored, but because he feels he needs to redeem himself somehow. Cornwell often uses characters around Sharpe to examine Sharpe's inner workings. This paints a picture of the mysterious, tough character by not requiring an explanation from Sharpe himself. It also gives insight about the characters around Sharpe, as only the people really close to him are allowed to examine his feelings.

1. Explain how boredom has caused many people, especially teenagers, to participate in behaviors that are harmful or illegal. Use examples from the book and your own experience to support your answer.

2. Discuss why a person might become bored and how boredom can be relieved with beneficial activities. What are some ways to relieve boredom? What are some ways to avoid boredom? Use examples from the book and your own experience to support your answer.

3. Do you think Cornwell's technique of using the characters around Sharpe to present Sharpe's inner workings to be effective? Why or why not? Why do you think the author would chose to make Sharpe known in this manner? Use examples from the book and your own experience to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Sharpe, despite his background, is an officer and a gentleman and is therefore accorded more respect and trust even in enemy territory than the common soldier. He has been told if he gives his parole he will not be guarded yet he cannot accede to that. Discuss the following:

1. Does it seem likely that officers are usually more respectable than enlisted men back then? What about today? Why or why not.

2. Sharpe has begun an affair with Helene, a woman recently widowed and who has participated in setting Sharpe up to be convicted of murder. Do you think this is how an officer and gentleman comports himself? Why or why not.

3. In the present military in the United States, both officers and enlisted can be held for court martial for adultery or having sexual relations with someone of inferior rank. Why do you think this is so? Do you agree with the policy?

(see the answer keys)

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