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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 joins the assaulting troops?

2. What does Calvet ask Killick to do?

3. What do Sharpe's men do when they reach the main British encampment?

4. On what does Calvet concentrate his fire?

5. Who joins Sharpe near the river?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Sharpe sees de Maquerre?

2. Describe the bridge that the British built.

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

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

5. What type of crime was committed in the town and what happens to the perpetrator?

6. What is the local commander, Calvet like?

7. What happens when the French first arrive at the fort and how does Calvet respond to it?

8. What does Calvet do with his artillery?

9. What does Killick do in obedience to the French? What is Sharpe's response?

10. What does Bampfylde do about Killick's ship and how does that turn out?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

In chapter 11, a Marine named Robinson sexually assaults a local girl named Lucille who is hysterical over the event. Sharpe threatens to hang the man but has Harper beat the Marine on the lame explanation that the rape had not actually been consummated. Discuss the following:

1. Does the beating seem sufficient punishment for the attempted rape? If Robinson attempts rape once, do you think it likely he will do so again? What do you think should have happened to Robinson?

2. One of the horrors of war is that called "collateral damage" in modern times. Discuss what you think that term means and discuss instances of "collateral damage" in Sharpe's Siege.

3. Is collateral damage an acceptable side effect of war? Is it unavoidable? What are ways Sharpe tries to minimize collateral damage? Do you think it is easier in the era in which Sharpe lives to avoid harm to civilians than in the modern era of high powered weapons? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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