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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 will the men Soult sends North do?

2. What does Major Tubbs suggest that Sharpe declines to do?

3. Of what does Tubbs take possession?

4. What is one group against whom Herault fought?

5. Where does Ducos suggest sending 300 men?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is MacKeon and what is his connection to Sharpe?

2. What does the author say about "Sharpe's Skirmish" in his introduction to the story?

3. What is Sharpe's response to Teresa's question about Gawilghur?

4. Who is Major Tubbs supervising and what is his mission?

5. What is Herault doing with Ducos?

6. Describe the setting and mission for Captain Richard Sharpe.

7. What does Herault suggest as a tactic for taking San Miguel?

8. What does Harper say about Major Tubbs when asked by Sharpe?

9. How does Sharpe begin to prepare for the arrival of the French?

10. Why is Major Ducos in Spain?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Usually the women in this series are in the background to the men and tend to fit a stereotype of women in this era of history. This book has a different type of woman, Teresa Sharp, who is strong enough to lead a group of rebels in skirmishes against the French.

1. Present and analyze the treatment of Teresa Sharp. Is her character believable? Is it believable that a group of men during that era would follow her as a soldier leader? What traits does Teresa possess that makes her a good leader? A weak leader?

2. Discuss Sharpe's attitude towards his wife both as a woman and as a soldier. Does he approve of her role leading soldiers? Do you think the fact that Sharpe is from the lower class makes him more accepting or less accepting of his wife's role in the war?

3. Discuss 3 other men's attitude towards Teresa Sharpe. Do they approve or disapprove of her? Do they like her? Do they see her as a woman?

Essay Topic 2

Oftentimes, a book is more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and sometimes it is the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think "Sharpe's Skirmish" is? Explain your response.

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 among the leaders--Sharpe, Harper, Price, Paillertie, Herault? Analyze the elements of those effective leaders thoroughly and discuss the traits of the good leaders. What makes an excellent leader/commander? Give examples.

2. Whose command style seems most ineffective among the leaders--Sharpe, Harper, Price, Paillertie, Herault? Analyze the elements of those ineffective leaders thoroughly and discuss the traits of the poor leaders. What makes a poor leader/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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