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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 is the weather like when the French forces meet?

2. How many casualties do the British take?

3. Why has Killick agreed to a staged surrender?

4. With what does Ducos threaten Killick?

5. Why does Lucille follow Sharpe's force?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Pierre Ducos and describe his unusual status.

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

3. Describe the bridge that the British built.

4. What is the local commander, Calvet like?

5. What type of tactic has Sharpe used to get his men out of the fort? Describe how it worked.

6. What occurs during the exchange between Calvet and Killick?

7. What does Bampfylde do before leaving Teste de Buch?

8. Who joins Sharpe and why?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 9, the meeting between de Maquerre and Ducos heavily foreshadows future developments. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "foreshadow."

2. What is foreshadowed by the meeting between de Maquerre and Ducos? What are other instances of foreshadowing in the book? What purpose do you think it serves that the author chooses to give "hints" of things to come?

3. Are there times when something seems to be foreshadowed in Sharpe's Siege, but it does not play out in the manner hinted at? Why do you think the author chooses to lead the readers astray? How do you react when something happens in the book of which there is no hint whatsoever earlier? Do readers like to "prepare" themselves for future action in a book? Do you feel "cheated" when a major character whom you have come to enjoy immensely dies or is killed suddenly with no hint that it is going to happen? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Sharpe weighs various factors in trying to decide what to do about Killick and decides that he cannot simply leave Killick behind, knowing full well that as soon as Sharpe is out of sight, Bampfylde will begin hanging the Americans. He is also haunted by the specter of Jane's death and involves himself in some superstitious speculation; Killick's yarn about sailors being hung in still air sends chills down Sharpe's spine and he somehow illogically conflates the story with Jane's survival. Sharpe comes to the conclusion that sparing Killick somehow guarantees Jane's survival. Discuss the following:

1. What is superstition? Can you name a few common superstitions? Do any of them seem to have any validity in logic? How do you think a superstition gets started? Continues?

2. Why do you think soldiers have the reputation for being superstitious? Do you think it is true? What superstitions are mentioned in Sharpe's Siege? Do you think superstitions help a person emotionally or psychologically when that person's life is in danger constantly such as a soldier at war? Do you think people are more superstitious during the era of Sharpe's Siege than they are now? Why or why not?

3. Do you believe any superstitions? What are they? Why? Have you ever found yourself unconsciously associating the outcome of something with something else happening that is totally unrelated? Discuss a couple of those times. How do you start associating one event with the other?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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