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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. Why are Sharpe and Harper looking to the south and west of town?

2. What is wrong when the riflemen arrive?

3. What does Vivar see when Sharpe removes his shirt?

4. At what time will the banner ceremony occur?

5. What does the colonel suggest?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What news do local bandits bring and what is Vivar's response to their news?

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

4. What kind of idea does Sharpe have and what is Vivar's response?

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

6. What does Sharpe do with the caltrops and how do they work?

7. Why does Sharpe burst into the chapel?

8. Why is Sharpe going into the palace?

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

10. What does the French colonel suggest to Sharpe?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

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

Sharpe's Rifles, like many, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why? not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Sharpe's Rifles and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Sharpe's Rifles is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

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