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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. Who does the soldier at the gate think Harper is?

2. Who assumes command of the force that will assault Teste de Buch?

3. What does Sharpe worry about from his wound?

4. Why is Killick intervening in the battle at Teste de Buch?

5. What does Bampfylde's Marines do when they arrive at the fortress?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Pierre Ducos do when he learns Sharpe is marching inland?

3. What is Harper's story concerning how he is with Sharpe's men?

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

5. Who does Bampfylde write the morning after he arrives at the fortress and what does he say?

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

7. What is Richard Sharpe's role in the coming British action and why is he chosen for this task?

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

9. What does Lassan do when he flees the fortress?

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

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 Bampfylde.

2. Lassan and Fredrickson.

3. Killick and the Comte de Maquerre.

Essay Topic 2

The military way of life is in and of itself similar to a distinct culture. Understanding how the military is organized, how it operates, and its basic rules of conduct will make any novel that centers on the military more understandable and enjoyable. Discuss one of the following:

1. Describe and analyze the military structure during the time of Sharpe's Siege. What is rank? What is the difference between officers and enlisted men? How serious is it to disobey an order? What happens if one decides he does not like being in the military and walks away? How are men conscripted? Does the infantry have a similar means of augmenting their ranks as the maritime action called "impressments"?

2. Compare the infantry of Sharpe's Siege to that in modern times in for the United States, England or France. What are the similarities? The differences? Are the changes from those times improvements? Why or why not? (This question will require some research).

3. Discuss why you think the military has the following: Uniforms, a rank structure of Officers and Enlisted, Strict Discipline, Training for New Recruits, Court Martial, and Different types of companies (i.e., rifle, Cavalry, artillery, etc). Discuss why you think men (and nowadays women) choose to become professional soldiers.

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 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.

(see the answer keys)

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