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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 after leaving the state function?

2. What does Nairn think Sharpe should do?

3. Who are Dick Vaughn and Paddy O'Keefe?

4. Where do Harper and Sharpe go after several weeks on the island?

5. What does Harper do?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where is Sharpe sent on a work party and what does he take the time to do?

2. What does Sharpe decide is the best course of action following his encounter in the city? How do he and Harper live?

3. Describe John Lynch, the training sergeant and his particular dislike.

4. What does Sharpe give Maggie and why?

5. Who is in charge of the training camp Havercamp takes them to and what is he like as a commander?

6. What does Sergeant Carew at the second battalion depot tell Sharpe?

7. What does Sharpe do about the men following him?

8. What does Sharpe wonder about as far as Simmerson's involvement with the second battalion? What is Sharpe's relation to Jane Gibbons?

9. When Sharpe presented at the royal gala, how does Sharpe present himself and how does the Prince feel about Sharpe?

10. Who travels with Sharpe to England and what do they find at the second battalion depot?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sharpe's Regiment 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 2

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 Regiment 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 3

The conclusion of Chapter 19 finds Sharpe at his lowest ebb--he has "solved" the mystery of his missing men but has also fallen into the hands of his enemies, is under official arrest, and is powerless to effect change. At this point, he appears entirely subject to the whims of Fenner, who plans to send him away under official condemnation.

1. There is a saying in writing circles that for good conflict one needs to: "put a character out on a limb then keep making the limb weaker and weaker." Discuss this idea in relationship to the chronological events that puts Sharpe under arrest and powerless.

2. Discuss what you believe are the emotional, psychological and physical reactions to being powerless and how a person might mitigate some of those reactions. Include in your discussion the harm or benefit one might derive from being powerless.

3. Sharpe is powerless. Most people find themselves in situations in life in which they are powerless. Discuss some lessons one could learn from being powerless. Use examples from the text and your own experience to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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