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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 Sharpe suggest Teresa have her men do?

2. What does Herault now command?

3. What is Sharpe trying to accomplish at the bridge?

4. With whom does Major Tubbs have to work?

5. What medicine does Harper offer Sharpe?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Harper admit about the bottles of wine he was tasked with destroying?

2. Who welcomes Sharpe to San Miguel and what is he like?

3. Why is Soult amenable to Ducos' request for some of Soult's men?

4. What is Major Tubbs' response to hearing the French may come to San Miguel and what does Sharpe say to Tubbs?

5. Why does Teresa become enraged about what she hears about Avila?

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

7. Describe Major Pierre Ducos.

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

9. Describe the situation with the wine that is found in the fort at San Miguel.

10. What does Ducos think of Herault's plan.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss "Sharpe's Skirmish" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if it is a successful novel. Explain your rationale with specific examples.

3. Do you think the fact that "Sharpe's Skirmish" falls within the genre of historical fiction changes the criteria upon which its success should be judged? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in this book.

2. Trace and analyze one major aspect of the setting and how it contributes to the story and characters.

Essay Topic 3

Cornwell has tried as much as possible to use historical events and facts around which to weave his work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think "Sharpe's Skirmish" qualifies as an historical fiction? Why or why not?

2. If much of the events in the story are historical, what surprises you about the way the events play out?

3. Do you think the culture of that era is more or less advanced than you imagined? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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