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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 color are the books that have accounting in them for the recruiting scheme?

2. What does Anne hope for Fenner?

3. What does Sharpe think Girdwood will do under the new circumstances?

4. How does Jane respond to Sharpe's question?

5. How does Sharpe feel about what Anne tells him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jane tell Sharpe about her involvement with the recruiting scheme?

2. What does Jane volunteer to do and what does Sharpe give her and ask her?

3. What does Sharpe do when Girdwood runs?

4. What does Anne tell Sharpe about him wanting to take Fenner and Simmerson down?

5. What do Sharpe and his group do after Girdwood runs?

6. What does Sharpe do about Sergeant Lynch?

7. What do Sharpe and Harper hear about when they return to London?

8. What does Sharpe do when he reaches London in order to get something done about Simmerson and Fenner?

9. What does Jane estimate is the kind of money the schemers are making off the recruits?

10. What does Sharpe decide to do in London and when that was unsuccessful what does he end up doing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sharpe rather naively believes the situation with second battalion will be easily rectified simply by bringing it to the attention of the authorities. His initial plan is to simply lay the matter before the Prince of Wales and let that august person propose a solution.

1. Do you think it is conceivable that a man who has been in the military as long as Sharpe has could be so naive about political power? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own experience to support your answer.

2. Discuss what might be the similarities and differences between Sharpe's efforts and the efforts one might make in America today when trying to bring a wrong to the attention of a legislator or governor. Use examples from the text and your own experience to support your answer.

3. Discuss what you see are the similarities and differences between the politicians in Sharpe's Regiment and America today. Use examples from the text and your own experience to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Girdwood is the primary antagonist in the novel and a completely deplorable character, although Simmerson and Fenner are indeed close seconds.

1. Why do you think Girdwood is still in the military? Discuss his motives and the military's motives for allowing him to stay. Use examples from Sharpe's Regiment to support your answer.

2. What do you think would happen to Girdwood if he served in the U.S. Army and still did the crimes he did? Compare the modern concept of criminals in the military with that of the era of Sharpe's Regiment.

3. Girdwood seems to be not only despicable, but pitiable. Discuss the concept of characters who though despicable can also be pitied. Use examples from Sharpe's Regiment to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Richard Sharpe is in some ways a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, in Sharpe's Regiment and in the others in the series. Discuss the following:

1. Does having a larger-than-life hero make that person less of a hero? In other words, which is more admirable--a hero who ultimately always "lands on his feet," or one who strives against impossible odds and doesn't always succeed?

2. Does a character have to be successful in order to be a hero? Explain your answer.

3. Choose one other character besides Sharpe who you might call a hero/heroine and explain why you choose that person. Illustrate your statements with examples from the text.

4. Does every work of fiction have to have a hero? Explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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