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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 does Sharpe fail to convey to Astrid?

2. What do the British do after launching exploding bombs?

3. What does Sharpe say about Skovaard?

4. Who is the first person Sharpe finds in Lavisser's house?

5. About what does Barker reassure Lavisser?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Lavisser say about Skovaard and who defends the man?

4. Describe Sharpe's encounter with Captain Dunnett at Lavisser's house and Captain Murray's response.

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

6. How is Skovaard when Sharpe rescues him and where does Sharpe take him?

7. What is the conversation between Lavisser and Barker about the damage to Lavisser's house?

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

9. Describe the interaction between Captain Dunnett and Sharpe.

10. Who takes a liking to Sharpe among the Danish citizens and how does Sharpe save the man's life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The military way of life is in and of itself similar to a distinct culture. Understanding how the military is organized, how it operates, and its basic rules of conduct will make any novel that centers on the military more understandable and enjoyable. Discuss one of the following:

1. Describe and analyze the military structure during the time of "Sharpe's Prey". What is rank? What is the difference between officers and enlisted men? How serious is it to disobey an order? What happens if one decides he does not like being in the military and walks away? How are men conscripted? Does the infantry have a similar means of augmenting their ranks as the maritime action called "impressments"?

2. Compare the infantry of "Sharpe's Prey" to that in modern times in for the United States, England or France. What are the similarities? The differences? Are the changes from those times improvements? Why or why not? (This question will require some research).

3. Discuss why you think the military has the following: Uniforms, a rank structure of Officers and Enlisted, Strict Discipline, Training for New Recruits, Court Martial, and Different types of companies (i.e., rifle, Cavalry, artillery, etc). Discuss why you think men (and nowadays women) choose to become professional soldiers.

Essay Topic 2

In any book centered around the military, leadership of the troops is often crucial with the better leaders able to command the respect and loyalty of their men. The men's willingness to follow a particularly leader can have a decisive impact upon the success of a mission. Discuss the following:

1. Whose command style seems most effective? Analyze the elements of those effective leaders thoroughly and discuss the traits of the good leaders. What makes an excellent leader/commander? Give examples.

2. Whose command style seems most ineffective? Analyze the elements of those ineffective leaders thoroughly and discuss the traits of the poor leaders. What makes a poor leader/commander? Give examples.

3. Is disobeying a poor leader ever justifiable? Explain using details from the text, other books you have read and your personal experience. In times of war, disobeying an order can be punishable by death. Is this harsh sentence justifiable for such an act? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

"Sharpe's Prey: Richard Sharpe and the Expedition to Copenhagen, 1807", is written around the historic invasion of Denmark by the British in 1807. Discuss the following:

1. Research the actual historical event of the invasion of Denmark by Britain in 1807, and write an informative essay on it.

2. Compare/contrast the actual historical event with how it is portrayed in "Sharpe's Prey: Richard Sharpe and the Expedition to Copenhagen, 1807". How are they alike? Different? Why do you think Cornwell alters some of the facts? Do you think the alterations improve the story? Why or why not?

3. Choose some minor historical event and write a short story set in that event. Try to stick to the actual facts as much as possible.

(see the answer keys)

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