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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 commander of Almeida forced to do?

2. What does Lossow feel about his imminent encounter with the French?

3. How long do they think they can hold out?

4. What seems almost impossible that was accomplished?

5. How does Sharpe feel after talking to Cox?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens before the telegraph can be sent?

2. Describe Almeida.

3. Why is Kearsey angry with Sharpe and what is Sharpe's response?

4. Who is causing Sharpe problems about moving the gold on to Wellington?

5. What are the losses and who lives after the explosion?

6. How is Sharpe faring with the wound he receives?

7. What happens when Sharpe goes to the telegraph station and who is he with?

8. How does Sharpe discover that the French are nearby when Sharpe's company approaches the Coa River?

9. What does Sharpe say to Hogan and what is Hogan's response?

10. What is written about the historical Almeida?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the world of academe, historical fiction is often considered an inferior form of the novel compared to "classic" literature. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think historical fiction might be considered second-rate compared to the classics?

2. Do you think historical fiction has the same elements as the classics? Why or why not?

3. What are the purposes do you think for people reading "the classics"? What are the purposes for people reading historical fiction? Is one purpose better than another? Explain your response.

4. Would you read historical fiction even outside an educational setting? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze one major theme of Sharpe's Gold. Consider the following: How does one character's actions portray the theme you are analyzing? How does the setting contribute to that theme? Is the theme one that you would call a "universal theme?" If so, what other book or novel that you have read also includes this theme. If not, why don't you think it is a "universal" theme?

2. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Sharpe's Gold. How does one character's actions portray the themes you are analyzing? How does the setting contribute to those themes? Is each theme one that you would call a "universal theme?" If so, what other book or novel that you have read also includes this theme. If not, why don't you think it is a "universal" theme?

3. What benefit is there in discussing and analyzing the themes of a work of fiction? Do you think most authors consciously develop themes in their works? Why or why not? Can there be accidental themes? What do you think is one possible "accidental" theme in Sharpe's Gold? Which theme in Sharpe's Gold speaks to you the most in your life? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Sharpe's Gold 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.

(see the answer keys)

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