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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. Why are the French not able to burn their ships?

2. Of what unit does Sharpe assume command?

3. In what state are Napoleon's troops at the beginning of this book?

4. Where was Sharpe shot during the taking of Teste de Buch?

5. What surprises Sharpe when they arrive at their mission site?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the various officers Sharpe meets with think about what the British should do?

2. What is Richard Sharpe's role in the coming British action and why is he chosen for this task?

3. What is Harper's story concerning how he is with Sharpe's men?

4. Describe briefly Sharpe's new command.

5. Why is Commodore Lassan at Teste de Buch uneasy?

6. How does Sharpe prepare first for his mission? How does that turn out?

7. What plan does Sharpe use to get into the fortress?

8. What does Sharpe doe when he arrives near the area of the fortress?

9. What does Harper ask Sharpe, how does Sharpe respond and what does Harper say to that response?

10. How is Killick's ambush neutralized?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The technical discussion of the fortress' construction is interesting and precise, though the large amount of jargon makes an appreciation of the fortress' strength difficult to assess without reference to a military dictionary. However, a full understanding of the layout is not necessary to the novel. Instead, the general feeling that the fortress is well-designed and difficult to penetrate is sufficient. Choose one of the following to answer in detail:

1. Did you find the technical data to be easy to understand in the way in which the author presented it? Why or why not? Use examples from the text to support your answer.

2. In what ways did the amount of description and technical data on the fortress add to and subtract from the experience of reading the book? Use examples from the text to support your answer.

3. If the last sentence above is true and a full layout was not necessary, why do you think the author wrote so much detail into the book? Use examples from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Along with treason, another detestable action is spying. Spies are not considered in the same vein as soldiers in uniform and are not protected by the customs and regulations that govern the treatment of soldiers who are in uniform when captured. Comte de Marquerre is a French spy and suffers eventual death at the hands of Sharpe. Discuss one of the following:

1. Why do you think spies are not accorded any rights under many countries' laws and customs?

2. Even though all countries abhor spies, often even their own, they still spy, and men and women are still willing to be spies. Discuss why you think this is so.

3. Research and analyze the history of spying in either England, the United States, or Russa.

Essay Topic 3

Richard Sharpe is in some ways a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, in this book 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, is a hero who ultimately always "lands on his feet" or one who strives against impossible odds and doesn't always succeed more admirable?

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.

(see the answer keys)

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