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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 think he needs to do?

2. What does Pailleterie see going towards San Miguel?

3. What do Perkins, Cooper and Harris bring to Sharpe?

4. Why doesn't Ensign Hickey negotiate with the French?

5. Where may Teresa go if the French do not arrive?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the aftermath of the battle at the bridge of San Miguel?

2. Why is Sharpe uncertain about how to keep the bridge?

3. Why is Sharpe upset as he sees the French approaching?

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

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

6. What does Sharpe order Harper, Cooper and Perkins to do?

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

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

9. Describe the battle for the bridge and explain why Sharpe retreats.

10. Where is Teresa thinking of going, and what does Sharpe suggest about her trip?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Sharpe's Skirmish", like many, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why? not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "Sharpe's Skirmish" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Define irony in literary terms. Discuss the irony of the situation of when Major Tubbs is disparaging of Sharpe because he rose through the ranks and is not a "gentleman" born, but it is Major Tubbs who plans to defraud his country by selling off rifles that are perfectly good and pocketing the money. What other situations contain irony in "Sharpe's Skirmish"?

2. Define symbolism in literary terms. Discuss the use and meaning of five symbols you choose to analyze from Sharpe's Skirmish. What do they symbolize? Is the symbolism obvious? Effective? Does the symbolism contribute to the enjoyment of reading?

3. Discuss five literary devices that occur in "Sharpe's Skirmish" and how they are used. Are they effective? Do they add or detract from the reading of the book? Why or why not. Some possible techniques: Allusion, connotation, denouement, dialogue, flashback, figurative language, motif, metaphor, narrator, point of view, simile, mood, and puns.

(see the answer keys)

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