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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 de Maquerre do when he sees Sharpe?

2. What are fascines?

3. Why does Lucille follow Sharpe's force?

4. The man who meets Ducos fought on what front?

5. What is the first town which Sharpe's men encounter?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who joins Sharpe and why?

2. Describe the bridge that the British built.

3. What do the French do on their first assault on the fortress?

4. What is the first town to which Sharpe and his men come and what is there?

5. Describe General Calvet and what type of military leader is he?

6. What do Sharpe and Frederickson think about their situation and what troubles Sharpe?

7. What does colonel Favier ask Sharpe and what is his reply?

8. What happens with Ducos' plan and how does Sharpe feel about de Maquerre's information?

9. What do Sharpe and his men do to prepare for the French forces marching on them at the fortress? What information does Killick give them?

10. What does Calvet argue and how does Ducos respond and why does he respond that way?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Richard Sharpe is in some ways a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, in this book and in the others in the series. Discuss the following:

1. Does having a larger-than-life hero make that person less of a hero? In other words, is a hero who ultimately always "lands on his feet" or one who strives against impossible odds and doesn't always succeed more admirable?

2. Does a character have to be successful in order to be a hero? Explain your answer.

3. Choose one other character besides Sharpe who you might call a hero/heroine and explain why you choose that person. Illustrate your statements with examples from the text.

4. Does every work of fiction have to have a hero? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Although Hogan's fever and eventual death is not focused on in a dominant way, the credibility of the basic plot relies heavily on this intelligence officer's information being withheld due to illness. In other words, Sharpe will go to war believing he is to act a certain way while in point of fact his mission was intended to be something else entirely. Choose one of the following to answer in detail:

1. Explain why the convenience of Hogan's illness is likely a narrative contrivance. Use examples from the text to support your answer.

2. Explain how you believe the plot could have worked without Hogan's illness. Use examples from the text to support your answer.

3. Based on Sharpe's behavior in his decision not to go to Bordeaux because of a "feeling" about de Marquerre, why would the author go to the trouble of inventing Hogan? Use examples from the text to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,064 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample