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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 had some friends of the Mayles seen in their hotel room which frightened them?

2. What did Massot plan to possibly do when he retired and sold his home?

3. What cafe do the Mayles eat at in November?

4. What was the appearance of the hall where the investiture was to take place?

5. Whom did Peter call when there was a problem with the house or property?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Peter stock his wine cellar?

2. How do the Mayles learn about bread?

3. What is the irony of Christmas Day to the Mayles?

4. List the locals who come to the Mayles for Christmas tips and tell what they bring as gifts

5. Who is Roger and what happens to him?

6. What frightened friends of the Mayles who were staying at a nearby hotel?

7. What is the game the Mayles play at the end of July and why do they like it?

8. What does Menicucci do at the Mayles house in August?

9. Why can't the meter reader read the meter and how does Menicucci fix the problem?

10. Describe the Cote d'Azur.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the book the Mayles learn any number of interesting and helpful things.

Part 1) Choose one area of expertise that the Mayles become familiar with and write an essay telling about what you learned from reading about it. For instance , the Mayles learn all about bread, olive oil and mushroom gathering.

Part 2) Choose several small , interesting things you learned in the book which might come in handy some day like how Menicucci got rid of the any colony. Write about these things in an essay.

Essay Topic 2

Early in the book the Mayles experience the Mistral.

Part 1) What is the Mistral? Where does it come from? Why is it important in the book? It appears twice in the book. Write a short description of the two different appearances of the Mistral.

Part 2) What are some of the effects on people and animals attributed to the Mistral in the book? How is the Mayles' house affected by the Mistral?

Part 3) Monsieur Menicucci has a theory about why the last three winters in Provence have been colder because of a change in the Mistral. Explain his theory. Does it seem

plausible to you?

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of funny incidents or sections in the book.

Part 1) Describe the incident where the English couple and their young son learn about the toilette a la Turque.

Part 2) Describe the incident where friends of the Mayles staying at a nearby hotel think they see an eagle in their wardrobe. What is it really? What does the night desk clerk give them to handle the situation when they find out they can't change their room? Do you think this is funny? What would you do if you found yourself in this situation?

Part 3) What are the "Sayings of August?" Do you think these are funny or unfortunate?

(see the answer keys)

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