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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 tell Harper to have the riflemen do after Vivar enters the town?

2. What word does Sharpe say to the French sentry over and over?

3. How does the battle between the riflemen and the first group of French work out?

4. What does Vivar say he will do if Sharpe does not agree to his plan?

5. At what time will the banner ceremony occur?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. How does Sharpe feel about Louisa being gone and what does Vivar tell Sharpe about her absence?

5. Why does Sharpe burst into the chapel?

6. What does Sharpe ask Vivar about the riflemen and what is Vivar's response? How does Sharpe answer him?

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

8. What happens when the troops arrive at a stream?

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

10. What does Sharpe do with the sentry?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose two of the following and compare and contrast the two people. Include in the discussion their type of leadership, their personality, their morals and whether you would like to serve under them.

1. Sharpe and Vivar.

2. Harper and Willams.

3. Vivar and de l'Eclin.

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

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.

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