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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. How long do the Spanish troops and the riflemen travel?

2. What does Sharpe learn about the road to Lisbon?

3. What does Sharpe do when Mrs. Parker refuses to leave the carriage?

4. In what direction is Davila supposed to go when he leaves Vivar?

5. By what title does Major Warren Dunnet address the lieutenant in Chapter 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Sharpe ask from the Parkers when they stop in a small town for the night and what does Sharpe end up doing for his men?

2. What does Sharpe ask about the strong box and what is Vivar's response? How does Sharpe respond to this?

3. What does Dunnet order the riflemen to do when the French are charging them and what is Sharpe's response?

4. What is the fortress to which Vivar has brought Sharpe and the Spanish troops and what does Vivar say about Spain and the French?

5. Why do Sharpe's men begin to call out enthusiastically when the Parkers come in front of the assembly and what does Mrs. Parker explain to Sharpe?

6. What does de l'Eclin accuse Sharpe of and what is Sharpe's response? What does Vivar's brother say?

7. What does Sharpe order the Parkers to do and what does Sharpe do when Mrs. Parker refuses?

8. What does De l'Eclin tell Sharpe about surrender and what does he say about the French army? What does Sharpe think of De l'Eclin's assertion about the French army?

9. What happens as Sharpe is about to order his riflemen to flee the house and who joins him in the woods?

10. With whom does Sharpe dine the first night in the fortress and why do Vivar and Alzaga argue?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

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

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

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

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze one major theme of Sharpe's Rifles. Consider the following: How does one character's actions portray the theme you are analyzing? How does the setting contribute to that theme? Is the theme one that you would call a "universal theme"? If so, what other book or novel that you have read also includes this theme. If not, why don't you think it is a "universal" theme?

2. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Sharpe's Rifles. How does one character's actions portray the themes you are analyzing? How does the setting contribute to those themes? Is each theme one that you would call a "universal theme"? If so, what other book or novel that you have read also includes this theme. If not, why don't you think it is a "universal" theme?

3. What benefit is there in discussing and analyzing the themes of a work of fiction? Do you think most authors consciously develop themes in their works? Why or why not? Can there be accidental themes? What do you think is one possible "accidental" theme in Sharpe's Rifles? Which theme in Sharpe's Rifles speaks to you the most in your life? Why?

Essay Topic 3

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 particular 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.

(see the answer keys)

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