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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. Who was Mary's dead husband?

2. What does Sharpe talk about with another soldier in Chapter 1?

3. Why does Hakeswill argue with Sharpe about Mary?

4. Where does Sharpe find money on the officer he is searching?

5. How many are in the British firing line they array against Tippoo's troops in Chapter 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does McCandless encounter on his way back to British forces?

2. When do Lawford and Sharpe depart, who joins them and why does Sharpe take charge of the mission?

3. What is the outcome of Sharpe's court-martial and what does Sergeant Green do for Sharpe?

4. Where do the deserters spend their first night, who interrogates them and what do they see in the courtyard the next morning?

5. Who is with McCandless when he arrives at the courtyard and what does he demand Sharpe do? How did Sharpe's actions turn out?

6. How do the other officers feel about Lawford suggesting Sharpe accompany him on the mission?

7. What is the plan for Lawford and Sharpe, and what will they do when they get into the city?

8. What does McCandless see at Seringapatam and what is his hope?

9. What does Sharpe do about his and Mary's conversation?

10. What does Gudin determine about Sharpe and Lawford and what does he do about Sharpe's wounds?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Sharpe's Tiger" takes place during the Third Anglo-Mysore War; therefore understanding the political and social situation during that time helps to a greater understanding and appreciation of this book. Discuss one of the following:

1. Research and write an expository essay about how the Third Anglo-Mysore War begins and ends.

2. Research and write an expository essay about the battles that take place on land between Britain and India during the Third Anglo-Mysore War.

3. Compare/Contrast the importance of the British infantry during the Third Anglo-Mysore War to the importance of the British infantry during either WWI or WWII.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of "Sharpe's Tiger", identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement.) Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements (They may not contain every element of a major plot.) Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

Cornwell has tried as much as possible to use historical events and facts around which to weave his work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think this book qualifies as an historical fiction? Why or why not?

2. If much of the events in the book are historical, what surprises you about the way the events play out?

3. Do you think the culture of that era is more or less advanced than you imagined? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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