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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 kind of thoughts of Jane trouble Sharpe?

2. Why is Ducos in charge of the attack on Teste de Buch?

3. What does Killick tell Sharpe?

4. Why has Killick agreed to a staged surrender?

5. What does Harper do to Robinson?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Killick do with the British prisoners?

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

4. What happens when Sharpe sees de Maquerre?

5. What does Calvet do with his artillery?

6. 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?

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

8. What is the local commander, Calvet like?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sharpe's Siege is one book in a series of novels involving Richard Sharpe. Discuss the following.

1. What are two advantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Illustrate your statements with details from the text.

2. What is a disadvantage of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Illustrate your statements with details from the text.

3. Do you prefer to read a standalone book, or a series of books with the same main characters? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 2

The English decide a temporary bridge must be constructed, using dozens of small ships as a system of support. To this end, the British Navy begins to capture dozens of small vessels. A large number of suitable craft is located near Gujan, and a naval expedition led by Captain Horace Bampfylde is organized. The British army decides that a diversionary action is also needed to divert French forces from the river crossing site; to this end, they decide on a military feint near Gujan; the two missions will be launched simultaneously. A sympathetic superior officer, Colonel Elphinstone, bluntly states that Sharpe has been selected as a sacrificial lamb. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think the British command believes the loss of the Sharpe's Company in a battle against hopeless odds is acceptable? Do you think Sharpe would have followed orders to take his men to divert the French had he known the odds were so overwhelming? Explain with examples.

2. Many wars are fought under the assumption of "acceptable losses." Usually it is the common foot soldier who is doing most of the dying. In fact, the term "cannon fodder," is often used to describe infantry who are killed by the hundreds gaining small hills or bits of land, sometimes to lose the same piece of "real estate" several times with continuing loss of life. Is this truly acceptable?

3. Sometimes some will say that wars would be few and far between if those who decided to go to war had to be in the front lines. Do you think that would make a difference?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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