View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Teresa go to Salamanca?

2. What does Sharpe think he needs to do?

3. What is being stored in the back of the chapel?

4. Where does Sharpe sprinkle oil and add kindling?

5. What orders does the French commander give to the men he summons?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How will makeshift caltrops help Sharpe?

3. What does Sharpe do with MacKeon's suggestion?

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

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

6. What does Pailleterie do while waiting for the French reinforcements?

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

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

9. What do Teresa's men do that helps the enemy?

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

The military way of life is in and of itself similar to a distinct culture. Understanding how the military is organized, how it operates, and its basic rules of conduct will make any novel that centers on the military more understandable and enjoyable. Discuss one of the following:

1. Describe and analyze the military structure during the time of "Sharpe's Skirmish". What is rank? What is the difference between officers and enlisted men? How serious is it to disobey an order? What happens if one decides he does not like being in the military and walks away? How are men conscripted? Does the infantry have a similar means of augmenting their ranks as the maritime action called "impressments"?

2. Compare the infantry of "Sharpe's Skirmish" to that in modern times for the United States, England or France. What are the similarities? The differences? Are the changes from those times improvements? Why or why not? (This question will require some research).

3. Discuss why you think the military has the following: Uniforms, a rank structure of Officers and Enlisted, Strict Discipline, Training for New Recruits, Court Martial, and Different types of companies (i.e., rifle, Cavalry, artillery, etc). Discuss why you think men (and nowadays women) choose to become professional soldiers.

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

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)

This section contains 1,187 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample