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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. Where is Wellington preparing for battle?

2. Where are the Prussians located?

3. What is a backdrop to the possibility of a battle in the morning?

4. Who rides with the British heavy cavalry?

5. What does Sharpe ponder also?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the author's placement of Sharpe in Chapter 14 do as a narrative device?

2. In Chapter 10, what describes a critical decision made by Wellington that ultimately leads to an Allied victory?

3. Why, on the third day, are the French still confident of victory?

4. By the end of Chapter 10 what do each of the characters in the story face?

5. What is the difference between Napoleon and the Duke in how they come before their men and how their men acknowledge them?

6. What type of relationship does the contrast of the two opposing generals have to the two armies?

7. What happens to the British Heavy Cavalry unit with which John Rossendale is riding?

8. How does D'Alembord's premonition show courage?

9. How does the author fit in a depiction of the Allied Forces in Chapter 13?

10. What is a major failure on the French part that leads to their ultimate defeat?

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, both 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, 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 have chosen 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

Though this novel is probably more action driven rather than character driven, obviously there are several characters who make the novel what it is. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Sharpe and Rossendale. Include their goals, sense of honor, abilities and social skills.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of the Duke of Wellington and Napoleon.

3. Thoroughly analyze the character of Richard Sharpe discussing both his strong and weak points and how both affect the outcome of the plot.

Essay Topic 3

Sharpe's Waterloo 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.

(see the answer keys)

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