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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. What is one thing Hopper provides Sharpe?

2. What does Sharpe say that Gordon can order Sharpe to do?

3. What is the crew of the bomb ship doing when Sharpe awakens?

4. What does Chase not want to do?

5. Who is in a chair on the lawn?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does Sharpe see sleeping on a chair and how does he deduce who she is?

2. Why does Sharpe finally leave Skovaard's home?

3. What is said about General Castenschiold's Danish militia?

4. What does Sharpe ask of Chase and what is Chase's response?

5. What does Hopper give Sharpe when Sharpe first arrives on his ship, and what do Hopper and Chase say to Sharpe about Grace?

6. How does Sharpe shock Wellsley when he arrives at Lavisser's family home?

7. How does Sharpe prove Visser's involvement with the French?

8. Why do Gordon, Pumphrey and Baird decide to write a commendation for Sharpe?

9. What transpires between Astrid and Sharpe concerning their relationship?

10. Where does Sharpe go with Astrid and how does it affect him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are a number of literary elements that occur in many works of fiction. Irony is a means of increasing both the humor and the complexity of a story. Cornwell often includes irony in his Richard Sharpe series. Point of view is the way the story is narrated; all works of fiction have a point of view. Conflict is almost always present in a work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary terms irony, point of view and conflict.

2. Identify two instances of irony in "Sharpe's Prey", offering examples from the text.

3. Identify the point of view of the novel and discuss why you think Cornwell chooses to use that particular point of view. Does the point of view seem to be the best one for "Sharpe's Prey"? Why or why not.

4. Identfiy two major conflicts in "Sharpe's Prey". Are the conflicts completely resolved by the end of "Sharpe's Prey"? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

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

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

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

Essay Topic 3

"Sharpe's Prey", 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 or good 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 Prey" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Sharpe's Prey" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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