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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. About how many troops does Tippoo have?

2. What do Rao's men find at the dungeon?

3. Who is taken prisoner by Tippoo's forces?

4. Who fights the jettis?

5. What does the British army dig?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What are Sharpe and Lawford doing when Gudin comes to arrest them?

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

4. How does Sharpe get information about the mine and what does he figure out about the mine?

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

6. How do the British officers feel about the outer wall, who will be sent in when the wall is breached and why are they given the name they are given?

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

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

9. What do the rescuers find at the dungeon?

10. How does Tippoo execute criminals and what does he do afterward?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Cornwell has tried as much as possible to use historical events and facts around which to weave his work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think this book qualifies as an historical fiction? Why or why not?

2. If much of the events in the book are historical, what surprises you about the way the events play out?

3. Do you think the culture of that era is more or less advanced than you imagined? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

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 Tiger". 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?

2. Compare the infantry of "Sharpe's Tiger" to that in modern times in 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 may 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 3

"Sharpe's Tiger" takes place during the Third Anglo-Mysore War; therefore understanding the political and social situation during that time helps to a greater understanding and appreciation of this book. Discuss one of the following:

1. Research and write an expository essay about how the Third Anglo-Mysore War begins and ends.

2. Research and write an expository essay about the battles that take place on land between Britain and India during the Third Anglo-Mysore War.

3. Compare/Contrast the importance of the British infantry during the Third Anglo-Mysore War to the importance of the British infantry during either WWI or WWII.

(see the answer keys)

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