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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 Bampfylde's Marines do when they arrive at the fortress?

2. With what is Jane ill when Sharpe leaves on his mission?

3. Why does Sharpe do as he is told?

4. Who suggest the site to which Killick moves his ambush?

5. Why is Harper among Sharpe's company?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Sharpe do with the American prisoners and how does Bampfylde respond?

2. In what state are Napoleon's forces at the beginning of this book?

3. What is Sharpe's mission and what does Elphinstone think about it?

4. To where do the British advance in Chapter 1 and 2 and what do they decide to do next?

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

6. What does Bampfylde do with the American prisoners and why?

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

8. What does Killick decide to do with the British coming?

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

10. What does Killick think the British will do, how much experience does he have with fighting on land and what worries him the most?

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 Siege 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

In Chapter 9, the meeting between de Maquerre and Ducos heavily foreshadows future developments. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "foreshadow."

2. What is foreshadowed by the meeting between de Maquerre and Ducos? What are other instances of foreshadowing in the book? What purpose do you think it serves that the author chooses to give "hints" of things to come?

3. Are there times when something seems to be foreshadowed in Sharpe's Siege, but it does not play out in the manner hinted at? Why do you think the author chooses to lead the readers astray? How do you react when something happens in the book of which there is no hint whatsoever earlier? Do readers like to "prepare" themselves for future action in a book? Do you feel "cheated" when a major character whom you have come to enjoy immensely dies or is killed suddenly with no hint that it is going to happen? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Most of the entire series of novels concerning Richard Sharpe takes place during the Napoleonic Wars; therefore understanding the political and social situation during that time helps to a greater understanding and appreciation of this book and others in the series. Discuss one of the following:

1. Research and write an expository essay about how the Napoleonic Wars begin and end.

2. Research and write an expository essay about the battles that take place on land between Britain and France during the Napoleonic Wars.

3. Compare/Contrast the importance of the British infantry during the Napoleonic Wars to the importance of the British infantry during either WWI or WWII.

4. Write an expository essay on how the Napoleonic War affects the social culture of one of the following countries: Britian, France, or Spain.

(see the answer keys)

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