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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 Louisa think might be affected by her current activities?

2. Who is with Sharpe at the table in a tavern?

3. What does Sharpe tell Vivar?

4. How do the volunteers do when Vivar watches a demonstration?

5. What is the weather like when the troops of Sharpe and Vivar set off?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Harper's idea about the Spanish volunteers?

2. How long do the troops march and what do the riflemen do to keep their movement a secret?

3. What is the legend about the gonfalon?

4. Why does Sharpe know the French who have appeared are not the real attack?

5. What does Sharpe tell Vivar about capturing Santiago de Compostela and what does Vivar say about Sharpe's opinion?

6. What does Vivar tell Sharpe and what does he do?

7. What does the French colonel tell Sharpe and what is Sharpe's response?

8. Why does Sharpe burst into the chapel?

9. What do Harper and Sharpe discuss and what does Harper tell Sharpe?

10. What happens when Sharpe enters the palace?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Richard Sharpe is in some ways a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, in Sharpe's Rifles 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 whom 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.

Essay Topic 2

Honor is a very important concept in Sharpe's Rifles and in the life of those in the upper class during that era. Discuss the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of honor in Sharpe's Rifles. What do you think Sharpe would tell you is the definition of honor if you ask him? Do you think honor can be restored if it is lost?

2. Respond to the following statement using specific examples from the book and your own experience: Honor is one of the most important character traits for anyone in any social strata. First fully define the concept of honor, then discuss whether you believe the preceding statement is true with specific examples from Sharpe's Rifles and other books/films and other media that you have read or experienced.

3. During the era in which Sharpe lives, men could give their word on the basis of being a gentleman and it was assumed to be true. There was no such concept for a lady or anyone of lower social/economic groups. Fully discuss the implications in a society where only gentlemen are considered trustworthy enough to give their word unquestioned.

Essay Topic 3

At the conclusion of a novel, most readers either consciously or unconsciously engage in processing the book and usually come to a conclusion as to whether they like the book or not. Discuss one of the following:

1. Would you consider Sharpe's Rifles a "good" book? Why or why not? Use examples to illustrate your stance.

2. What do you think are the elements of an outstanding novel? Analyze one of your favorite novels to see if those elements are present.

3. What are some reasons you might consider a novel a failure? Analyze a novel you think is a failure and see if those elements are in that novel.

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