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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. Who appears on the battle scene just in the nick of time?

2. How do the British defend against the Cuirassiers?

3. Who is Lord John Rossendale?

4. Who does Sharpe wonder about atoning to for his insubordination?

5. What do Harper and Sharpe contemplate?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does Sharpe see as he leaves Wellington to return to the crossroads? What does he do?

2. What is the ultimate end of the second day of the novel?

3. What does Sharpe do when he and Doggett see a battalion of French while scouting the crossroad area?

4. Why are the French able to cross into Belgium and what type of resistance is there?

5. To whom does Sharpe send a note when he encounters men from the German Legion and what is the response? Why does he respond that way?

6. What type of technical details are seen in Chapter 8?

7. What town on the river Sambre is easily taken by the French, who tries to stop them, and what does this mean in tactical terms?

8. Why are the Dutch-Belgium troops unable to fight well?

9. Who is Sharpe's mother and in what wars has he fought? To whom is he attached now?

10. What is one of the first blunders committed by the Prince of Orange?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Honor is an important concept in Sharpe's Waterloo and in the life of those in the upper class during that era. It is assumed that those who are officers and gentlemen would keep their word after offering it.

1. Trace and analyze the theme of honor in Sharpe's Waterloo. What do you think Richard Sharpe would tell you is the definition of honor if you ask him? How about Harper? Rossendale? Do you think honor can be restored if it is lost? Does Rossendale bring back his honor by joining the suicide charge of the cavalry?

2. Respond to the following statement using specific examples from the book and your own experience: Honor is one of the most important character traits for anyone in any social strata. First, fully define the concept of honor. Then discuss whether you believe the preceding statement is true with specific examples from Sharpe's Waterloo and other books/films, etc. that you have read or experienced.

3. During the era in which Richard Sharpe lives, men could give their word on the basis of being a gentleman and it was assumed to be true. There was no such concept for a lady or anyone of lower social/economic groups. Fully discuss the implications in a society where only gentlemen would be considered trustworthy enough to give their word unquestioned.

Essay Topic 2

D'Alembord died of a leg wound. This was a fairly routine occurrence at that time. Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Compare/contrast the medical remedies used in Sharpe's Waterloo to those which would be used in our modern world.

2. Many wars are partially, if not completely, determined by factors other than the actual fighting. One of those factors is disease. Research and discuss how epidemics/pandemics have influenced the outcome of three different wars throughout history.

3. Discuss why men died so readily of wounds that would be easily treated today.

Essay Topic 3

Richard Sharpe is, in some ways, a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, both in this book and in the others in the series. Discuss the following:

1. Does having a larger-than-life hero make that person less of a hero? In other words, which is more admirable--a hero who ultimately always "lands on his feet," or one who strives against impossible odds and doesn't always succeed?

2. Does a character have to be successful in order to be a hero? Explain your answer.

3. Choose one other character besides Sharpe who you might call a hero/heroine and explain why you have chosen that person. Illustrate your statements with examples from the text.

4. Does every work of fiction have to have a hero? Explain your answer.

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