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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 part of the horse is disabled?

2. How does the French commander plan to kill all the British?

3. Who does Sharpe take as prisoner?

4. What does Coignet order?

5. What does Pailleterie think is his last chance when he orders his men to charge?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Sharpe do after sabotaging the fort?

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

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

5. Describe how the tide changes for Sharpe and his men after the wine bottles have been broken on the bridge.

6. How is Sharpe feeling as dawn approaches, and how do the men respond?

7. Who do Pailleterie and Tubbs discuss and what do they say?

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

9. What does Pailleterie order when it becomes clear that the fire is out of control?

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

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. Trace and analyze one major theme of "Sharpe's Skirmish". Consider the following: How does one character's actions portray the theme you are analyzing? How does the setting contribute to that theme? Is the theme one that you would call a "universal theme"? If so, what other book or novel that you have read also includes this theme. If not, why don't you think it is a "universal" theme?

2. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of "Sharpe's Skirmish". How does one character's actions portray the themes you are analyzing? How does the setting contribute to those themes? Is each theme one that you would call a "universal theme"? If so, what other book or novel that you have read also includes this theme. If not, why don't you think it is a "universal" theme?

3. What benefit is there in discussing and analyzing the themes of a work of fiction? Do you think most authors consciously develop themes in their works? Why or why not? Can there be accidental themes? What do you think is one possible "accidental" theme in "Sharpe's Skirmish"? Which theme in "Sharpe's Skirmish" speaks to you the most in your life? Why?

Essay Topic 3

"Sharpe's Skirmish" is one book in a series of novels involving the character Richard Sharpe. Discuss the following.

1. What are two advantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Illustrate your statements with details from the text.

2. What is a disadvantage of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Illustrate your statements with details from the text.

3. Do you prefer to read a standalone book, or a series of books with the same main characters? Explain your response.

(see the answer keys)

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