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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 job does Sharpe want out of?

2. Who questions Sharpe along with Gordon?

3. Who is Jems?

4. How many guineas does Visser think England sent with Lavisser?

5. What troops are mostly civilians called up into the local militia?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the leter to General Payman from the British say and what is Peyman's response?

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

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

4. Describe the conversation among Sharpe, Captain Gordon and Pumphrey.

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

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

7. What does Sharpe give Jems and tell him to do?

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

9. What transpires at the meeting Peyman has with his aides?

10. Describe the encounter between Sharpe and Barker.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Cornwell has tried as much as possible to use historical events and facts around which to weave his work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think this book qualifies as an historical fiction? Why or why not?

2. If much of the events in the book are historical, what surprises you about the way the events play out?

3. Do you think the culture of that era is more or less advanced than you imagined? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Most of the entire series of novels concerning Richard Sharpe takes place during the Napoleonic Wars; therefore understanding the political and social situation during that time helps to a greater understanding and appreciation of this book and others in the series. Discuss one of the following:

1. Research and write an expository essay about how the Napoleonic Wars begin and end.

2. Research and write an expository essay about the battles that take place on land between Britain and France during the Napoleonic Wars.

3. Compare/Contrast the importance of the British infantry during the Napoleonic Wars to the importance of the British infantry during either WWI or WWII.

4. Write an expository essay on how the Napoleonic War affects the social culture of one of the following countries: Britain, France, or Germany.

(see the answer keys)

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