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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 Pumphrey give Sharpe?

2. What does Sharpe do as he is fleeing the scene of the murder he committed?

3. What do Brown and Belling explain to Sharpe about his commission?

4. What does Baird want Sharpe to do?

5. What does Sharpe tell Hocking before Sharpe kills the man?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Richard Sharpe angry about his commission and how did he get a commission?

2. How does Sharpe deal with Hocking's two bodyguards?

3. Where is Sharpe on Friday night at the opening of Chapter 2, and what does he do initially?

4. Describe the approach of the British ships to the Danish shore.

5. Describe the murder of Captain Willsen.

6. What does Sharpe do and think after fleeing Wapping Steps.

7. Describe Sharpe's encounter with Hocking when Hocking brings Sharpe a young girl.

8. Why is Sharpe in his present circumstances?

9. Who is Lavisser and how does he act in the carriage as they are riding to the docks?

10. What does Skovaard read to Sharpe out of a Danish newspaper and what does Skovaard do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the conclusion of a novel, most readers either consciously or unconsciously engage in processing the book and usually come to a conclusion as to whether they like the book or not. Discuss one of the following:

1. Would you consider "Sharpe's Prey" a "good" book? Why or why not? Use examples to illustrate your stance.

2. What do you think are the elements of an outstanding novel? Analyze one of your favorite novels to see if those elements are present.

3. What are some reasons you might consider a novel a failure? Analyze a novel you think is a failure and see if those elements are in that novel.

Essay Topic 2

Richard Sharpe is in some ways a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, in "Sharpe's Prey" 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 choose that person. Illustrate your statements with examples from the text.

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

Essay Topic 3

A work of fiction is often organized around a structure called a plot. Discuss the following:

1. Define plot and its major parts (rising action, climax, falling action, resolution [or denouement]. Write a sentence or two synopsis of the major plot of the "Sharpe's Prey".

2. Identify where the parts of the plot seem to fall in "Sharpe's Prey". Explain using examples.

3. Define the literary term "subplot." Write a sentence or two synopsis of a subplot in "Sharpe's Prey".

4. Identify the major parts of the subplot you identified in task number 3.

5. Why do you think identifying the plot and elements of the plot is useful?

(see the answer keys)

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