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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 do when Hocking brings him a young girl?

2. Who is Barker?

3. What does Sharpe give the girl?

4. In what does Sharpe say he is interested?

5. Whose life did Sharpe save that resulted in the commission?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the reason for the mission to Copenhagen?

2. What does Pumphrey say to Sharpe in private?

3. Describe Sharpe and Baird's initial conversation.

4. What does Baird want of Sharpe?

5. What is Captain Willsen doing at the opening of this chapter and why?

6. Where does Sharpe find Astrid and what does he do?

7. How does Sharpe escape confinement and what frightens him about his escape means?

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

9. What does Sharpe realize when he is hiding in the dunes, and who is searching for him?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are three "villains" in "Sharpe's Prey". Lavisser is a fanatical patriot, Barker seems to be self-serving and Madame Visser is a French spy.

1. Explain, with examples from the text, what you see are the main motivations behind Barker's behavior. If he lived in America today with what crimes do you think he would be charged?

2. Lavisser is a "villain" who does not seem to be motivated by self-interest. Discuss why or why not you believe this statement to be true. Use examples from "Sharpe's Prey" to support and illustrate your opinion.

3. Do you think crimes or immoral behavior motivated by good intentions is more pardonable than that motivated by self-interests? Why or why not? Use examples from "Sharpe's Prey" to support and illustrate your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

"Sharpe's Prey", like many, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why? not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "Sharpe's Prey" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Sharpe's Prey" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

"Sharpe's Prey" 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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