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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 is the approximately number of the British forces?

2. Where does the British army establish camp?

3. About how many troops does Tippoo have?

4. What message did Sharpe want to give the British?

5. How many rockets does Sharpe think the French have?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Tippoo entertain his troops and what does he plan to do with the British prisoners during the entertainment?

2. What does Lawford tell Sharpe about rockets and what do they see as they watch them being used?

3. What does Sharpe say to Lawford about the rockets?

4. What does a mill fort do for Tippoo's troops and what does the British do about the mill fort?

5. What does Hakeswill do when it comes his turn to be killed?

6. What does Gudin order Sharpe to do to sabotage the British and who does he encounter when he does?

7. What happens to Hakeswill as the British siege begins, who does he kill and why?

8. How does Sharpe take care of the black-powder mine?

9. What is the first task Gudin has Sharpe and Lawford do and how well do they do it? How does Lawford feel afterward?

10. What do the British first do with their cannons to begin to breach Tippoo's wall?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Most protagonists are a mixture of admirable traits and character flaws, and Richard Sharpe is no exception. Sharpe's legendary powers of military strategy is juxtaposed with his reputation as a womanizer. Discuss the following:

1. Trace and analyze situations when Sharpe demonstrates his prodigious powers of military strategy. Give specific examples to illustrate your analysis.

2. Trace and analyze Sharpe's character flaws offering specific examples of these flaws in your discussion.

3. Discuss how you think Sharpe's admirable traits helped him obtain a higher rank in the military despite his background as a child. Have his flaws impacted his career at all? Do any of those under his command seem to notice these flaws? Who? How does the reader know this?

Essay Topic 2

"Sharpe's Tiger", 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 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 Tiger" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Sharpe's Tiger" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. State what you think are three characteristics of a successful novel and whether or not "Sharpe's Tiger" in your opinion is a successful novel.

Essay Topic 3

Though this novel is probably more action driven rather than character driven, obviously there are several characters who make the novel what it is. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Sharpe and Hakeswill. Include their goals, sense of honor, abilities, and social skills.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of General Harris and Tippoo Sultan.

3. Thoroughly analyze the character of Richard Sharpe, discussing both his strong and weak points and how both affect the outcome of the plot.

(see the answer keys)

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