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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 Ole Skovaard?

2. Why does Lavisser suggest taking the service entrance?

3. Why does Sharpe avoid the first town he comes to?

4. What do the British hope to convince the Danish Crown Prince to do?

5. What is Willsen's main concern about where he and Lavisser are going?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the reason for the mission to Copenhagen?

2. Why is Sharpe in his present circumstances?

3. What does Sharpe do and think after fleeing Wapping Steps.

4. Where does Sharpe find Astrid and what does he do?

5. Describe Sharpe's encounter with Hocking when Hocking brings Sharpe a young girl.

6. How does Sharpe manage to get some weapons for himself on the boat?

7. How does Sharpe rescue Skovaard?

8. What does Sharpe tell Hocking he wants and what is Hocking's response?

9. What does Sharpe realize when he is hiding in the dunes, and who is searching for him?

10. Who is Lavisser and how does he act in the carriage as they are riding to the docks?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are three "villains" in "Sharpe's Prey". Lavisser is a fanatical patriot, Barker seems to be self-serving and Madame Visser is a French spy.

1. Explain, with examples from the text, what you see are the main motivations behind Barker's behavior. If he lived in America today with what crimes do you think he would be charged?

2. Lavisser is a "villain" who does not seem to be motivated by self-interest. Discuss why or why not you believe this statement to be true. Use examples from "Sharpe's Prey" to support and illustrate your opinion.

3. Do you think crimes or immoral behavior motivated by good intentions is more pardonable than that motivated by self-interests? Why or why not? Use examples from "Sharpe's Prey" to support and illustrate your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

A work of fiction is often organized around a structure called a plot. Discuss the following:

1. Define plot and its major parts (rising action, climax, falling action, resolution [or denouement]. Write a sentence or two synopsis of the major plot of the "Sharpe's Prey".

2. Identify where the parts of the plot seem to fall in "Sharpe's Prey". Explain using examples.

3. Define the literary term "subplot." Write a sentence or two synopsis of a subplot in "Sharpe's Prey".

4. Identify the major parts of the subplot you identified in task number 3.

5. Why do you think identifying the plot and elements of the plot is useful?

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 Prey" 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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,200 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample