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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. In what state are Napoleon's troops at the beginning of this book?

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

3. Why are the French not able to burn their ships?

4. Who leads the naval expedition near Gujan?

5. Why can't the Marines do the mission Sharpe is assigned?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. What does Harper ask Sharpe, how does Sharpe respond and what does Harper say to that response?

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

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

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

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

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

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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