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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 Lieutenant Simon Bloggett want of Sharpe?

2. Where do the Cuirassiers ride?

3. How are Napoleon's men dressed?

4. How does Rossendale get separated from his friends?

5. What is the Duke of Wellington's army doing?

Short Essay Questions

1. What new weapon is used, who invented it and why did the description of it stand out among other action scenes?

2. What is a major failure on the French part that leads to their ultimate defeat?

3. What gross error in judgment and orders did the Prince of Orange make in Chapter 15?

4. What is one of the most striking differences at the end of a battle and the disposition of the dead between that era and now?

5. What does the author's placement of Sharpe in Chapter 14 do as a narrative device?

6. How does D'Alembord's premonition show courage?

7. What is it about the British muskets that proves the beginning of the French's downfall?

8. What does John Rossendale tell his fellow officers about the condition of his sword and pistol in Chapter 10?

9. How does the author fit in a depiction of the Allied Forces in Chapter 13?

10. What is the difference between Napoleon and the Duke in how they come before their men and how their men acknowledge them?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 Rossendale. Include their goals, sense of honor, abilities and social skills.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of the Duke of Wellington and Napoleon.

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 2

Sharpe's Waterloo is one book in a series of novels involving 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.

Essay Topic 3

Most of the entire series of novels concerning Richard Sharpe takes place during the Napoleonic Wars; therefore understanding the political and social situation during that time helps to a greater understanding and appreciation of this book and others in the series. Discuss one of the following:

1. Research and write an expository essay about how the Napoleonic Wars begin and end.

2. Research and write an expository essay about the battles that take place on land between Britain and France during the Napoleonic Wars.

3. Compare/Contrast the importance of the British infantry during the Napoleonic Wars to the importance of the British infantry during either WWI or WWII.

4. Write an expository essay on how the Napoleonic Wars affect the social culture of one of the following countries: Britain, France, or Germany.

(see the answer keys)

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