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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 the French not able to burn their ships?

2. Who does Bampfylde credit in his official report to the Admiralty?

3. Why does Sharpe do as he is told?

4. Into what territory have the British forces pushed after conquering the peninsula in question #3?

5. Why does Sharpe fear for his troops?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Sharpe counter Bampfylde's assertion of command and what does Bampfylde decide to do?

2. Describe briefly Sharpe's new command.

3. How does Killick respond to Sharpe's distaste for hanging?

4. What does Killick and Sharpe realize when they speak?

5. To where do the British advance in Chapter 1 and 2 and what do they decide to do next?

6. What does Bampfylde do with the American prisoners and why?

7. What kind of shape are Bampfylde and his Marines and how does this affect what they do?

8. What plan does Sharpe use to get into the fortress?

9. Who joins Sharpe's mission at the last moment, what kind of problems does he cause and why does Sharpe's superiors allow it?

10. What does Sharpe doe when he arrives near the area of the fortress?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

RSM Harper's request to accompany Sharpe begins one of the more risible minor plot arcs presented in the narrative. Discuss the following:

RSM Harper's request to accompany Sharpe begins one of the more risible minor plot arcs presented in the narrative. Discuss the following:

1. What is meant by the term "comic relief?" Why do you think an author interjects comic relief into a story? Is it necessary?

2. Thoroughly discuss the situation with Harper and explain how the situation could be considered comic relief. Do you find it a humorous situation?

3. Why does Harper have to go to such extremes to effect his accompaniment of Sharpe's regiment? What would have happened to Harper had he just gone along with the riflemen after Sharpe told him no? Why do you think Sharpe is so angry to see Harper even though Sharpe greatly respects Harper's ability as a soldier? Would Sharpe have had to be the one to effect punishment against Harper?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze one major theme of Sharpe's Siege. 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 do you think it is not a "universal" theme?

2. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Sharpe's Siege. 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 do you think it not 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 Siege? Which theme in Sharpe's Siege 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 particularly 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 or 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 or 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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