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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 is happening to the French troops that come as reinforcements?

2. What does Pailleterie hope about San Miguel?

3. Why does Coignet raise an alarm?

4. What does Coignet order?

5. Where does Sharpe sneak?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who do Pailleterie and Tubbs discuss and what do they say?

2. What does Pailleterie do while waiting for the French reinforcements?

3. What strategy does Herault choose to fight Sharpe and his men?

4. How will makeshift caltrops help Sharpe?

5. What is the aftermath of the battle at the bridge of San Miguel?

6. What does Pailleterie order when it becomes clear that the fire is out of control?

7. What does Sharpe do with MacKeon's suggestion?

8. Of what does MacKeon remind Sharpe?

9. Why does Sharpe realize he does not need to negotiate a truce with the French forces?

10. Why is Sharpe uncertain about how to keep the bridge?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Richard Sharpe is in some ways a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, in this story 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 2

In any book centered around the military, leadership of the troops is often crucial with the better leaders able to command the respect and loyalty of their men. The men's willingness to follow a particularly leader can have a decisive impact upon the success of a mission. Discuss the following:

1. Whose command style seems most effective among the leaders--Sharpe, Harper, Price, Paillertie, Herault? Analyze the elements of those effective leaders thoroughly and discuss the traits of the good leaders. What makes an excellent leader/commander? Give examples.

2. Whose command style seems most ineffective among the leaders--Sharpe, Harper, Price, Paillertie, Herault? Analyze the elements of those ineffective leaders thoroughly and discuss the traits of the poor leaders. What makes a poor leader/commander? Give examples.

3. Is disobeying a poor leader ever justifiable? Explain using details from the text, other books you have read and your personal experience. In times of war, disobeying an order can be punishable by death. Is this harsh sentence justifiable for such an act? 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: Britain, France, or Germany.

(see the answer keys)

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