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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 use to get rid of the men guarding the black-powder mine?

2. What does Mary say is her relationship to Sharpe?

3. Where do the British open fire?

4. What does Hakeswill claim to have seen in the city?

5. What does Sharpe receive from Tippoo?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Tippoo hope as the British prepare to attack and what happens to that hope?

2. Of what do the British and Tippoo's forces consist?

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

4. What does Tippoo decide to do with Lawford and Sharpe after questioning them?

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

6. How does Sharpe get them out of the prison?

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

8. With whom does Sharpe fight and what plan of his does his fight prevent?

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

10. Why was Sharpe honored and what did he receive?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Mary is the only woman in "Sharpe's Tiger" that has any role. She is an intelligent, resourceful and brave woman but, in the end, still needs the protection of a man.

1. Present and analyze the treatment of women in "Sharpe's Tiger".

2. Cornwell is trying to be historically accurate, so is his treatment of women in his book(s) justified?

3. Is there any way Cornwell could have presented women in a more positive light and still stayed historically accurate? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of "Sharpe's Tiger", identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement.) Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements (They may not contain every element of a major plot.) Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

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