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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 do when he arrives near the fortress ahead of schedule?

2. What does the man who meets de Maquerre do for a living?

3. Why does Sharpe decline Patrick Harper's volunteering to join the unit?

4. What do the French want Bampfylde to do?

5. Who is leading the British forces at the beginning of this novel?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What do the British decide to do to implement their plan from question # 3?

3. What does Lassan do to help him make a decision about his defense?

4. What does Killick decide to do with the British coming?

5. What does Killick think the British will do, how much experience does he have with fighting on land and what worries him the most?

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

7. What surprises Sharpe when they land and why is he surprised and what does Bampfylde do?

8. What is Sharpe's mission and what does Elphinstone think about it?

9. What do the various officers Sharpe meets with think about what the British should do?

10. How does Sharpe prepare first for his mission? How does that turn out?

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 Siege 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

Most of the entire series of novels concerning Richard Sharpe takes place during the Napoleonic Wars; therefore understanding the political and social situation during that time helps to a greater understanding and appreciation of this book and others in the series. Discuss one of the following:

1. Research and write an expository essay about how the Napoleonic Wars begin and end.

2. Research and write an expository essay about the battles that take place on land between Britain and France during the Napoleonic Wars.

3. Compare/Contrast the importance of the British infantry during the Napoleonic Wars to the importance of the British infantry during either WWI or WWII.

4. Write an expository essay on how the Napoleonic War affects the social culture of one of the following countries: Britian, France, or Spain.

Essay Topic 3

Along with treason, another detestable action is spying. Spies are not considered in the same vein as soldiers in uniform and are not protected by the customs and regulations that govern the treatment of soldiers who are in uniform when captured. Comte de Marquerre is a French spy and suffers eventual death at the hands of Sharpe. Discuss one of the following:

1. Why do you think spies are not accorded any rights under many countries' laws and customs?

2. Even though all countries abhor spies, often even their own, they still spy, and men and women are still willing to be spies. Discuss why you think this is so.

3. Research and analyze the history of spying in either England, the United States, or Russa.

(see the answer keys)

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