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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 do Sharpe's superiors do to free him to lead the invasion force?

2. How does Lassan feel when he hears of the land force?

3. What does Colonel Elphinstone say about Sharpe due to the mission he is assigned?

4. What do the British decide they need to divert the French from the bridge site?

5. Why is Killick worried about Thuella?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How is Killick's ambush neutralized?

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

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

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

6. What does an English frigate do about the Teste de Buch and how does Lassan respond?

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

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

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

In Chapter 6, Sharpe has captured the formidable redoubt with only one man killed, and that man killed by friendly fire from the frigate. Discuss the following:

1. What is meant by "friendly fire?"

2. Are many soldiers in war are killed by friendly fire? Why or why not? What causes a soldier to be killed by friendly fire?

3. How do you think friendly-fire deaths can be avoided? Or can they? Is this just an acceptable consequence of battle? How difficult do you think it is to tell who one is shooting at when engaged in a pitched battle? What factors might affect the occurrences of friendly-fire deaths in Sharpe's time? In modern warfare? What types of battle situations are more likely to engender friend-fire deaths?

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

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.

(see the answer keys)

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