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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. Where does Sharpe send Harper and twenty riflemen?

2. Why doesn't Sharpe want to do what Major Tubbs suggests?

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

4. Where does the General lead a charge that destroys a British battalion?

5. Why does Napoleon send Ducos to Spain?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe Major Pierre Ducos.

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

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

5. How does one of the people eating together in the mess offend Sharpe, and who steps in and has his own opinion about the topic?

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

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

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

9. What is Sharpe's mission in relation to Major Tubbs and why does he take his mission seriously?

10. What does Teresa want to do and what does Sharpe suggest?

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

Sharpe, despite his background, is an officer and a gentleman and is therefore accorded more respect and trust even in enemy territory than the common soldier. Discuss the following:

1. Does it seem likely that officers are usually more respectable than enlisted men back then? What about today? Why or why not.

2. Major Tubbs, who is an officer and gentleman plans to commit fraud for his personal gain. Do you think this is how an officer and gentleman comports himself? Why or why not?

3. In the present military in the United States, officers are held more strictly accountable for their behavior than enlisted men and women. Is this fair? Should officers be more accountable for their actions?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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