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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. Why does Sharpe order his men to retreat?

2. Who is Hagman?

3. What does Sharpe see is lost?

4. What has Pailleterie given his men before?

5. What do Teresa's men do that gives their presence away to Pailleterie?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Sharpe realize he does not need to negotiate a truce with the French forces?

2. How does MacKeon again "save the day"?

3. What does Sharpe admit to Teresa about his jumpiness?

4. Why is Sharpe now grateful for Harper's earlier disobedience about the wine?

5. In what way are both Sharpe and Pailleterie furious at the other group?

6. How does Pailleterie threaten his men and what is there response?

7. What strategy does Herault choose to fight Sharpe and his men?

8. What sets Teresa off running for her horse and why is she going for the horse?

9. Who raises the alarm about the fire and what do they do?

10. What does Herault observe when he arrives at San Miguel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many events that happen in "Sharpe's Skirmish" are foreshadowed by previous events and/or signs. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "foreshadowing."

2. Why would an author use foreshadowing? Do you think it adds or detracts from your experience as a reader? Explain.

3. Trace and analyze five instances of foreshadowing in "Sharpe's Skirmish". Match up what is mentioned earlier and what it foreshadows. Did you guess that each instance of foreshadowing was a "heads up" of something to come? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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