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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. Mayle meets up with a neighbor named Massot who shares his distrust of what?

2. As soon as the young man, Benson, steps off the train, he claims to be deathly ill with what?

3. Peter's friend, Frank, calls him from London. He seems worried and on edge. Why?

4. Why is this couple allowed to see the dog?

5. How else does Mayle feel about his book signing?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Peter do about the toads story? What does this reveal about Peter's personality?

2. What does Peter ask about tasting the wine? Why does he ask this? How does Michel respond? Why might Michel respond this way?

3. How does the language barrier lead to humor in this chapter?

4. What happens to Faustin? How does he feel about this?

5. How does Peter feel about his toad findings? Why does he feel this way?

6. How does the book begin? What does this lead him to say about the French?

7. How does Benson react to the French doctor? Why might he react this way?

8. What does Peter learn about toads at a cafe? What does Peter think of this? Why might he feel this way?

9. Why might Peter's wife still plan a picnic, although he does not like them?

10. What does Mayle say about the life of a writer?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Peter and his wife learn a great deal about French culture while living in Provence.

Part 1) Describe French culture based on this book. Do you believe that Peter's description of French culture is an accurate one? Why or why not? Might French culture today be as Peter described it in this book? Why or why not?

Part 2) What are your thoughts about French culture, based on this book? Does Peter's description of French culture influence you in a positive way? Would you like to go to Provence? Why or why not?

Part 3) How does French culture compare to your own culture? How important is one's culture to one's personality and interests? How different might you be if you had grown up in Provence, rather than your own community?

Essay Topic 2

Lavender is an important crop in Provence.

Part 1) How does the author reveal its importance in this story? How is the author involved in the growing and/or harvesting of lavender? Why does he get involved? What might the author think of the production of lavender, based on his experiences with it?

Part 2) What other aspects of Provence are uniquely Provencal? How do these combine to make the Provencal culture? What are the author's thoughts on Provencal culture? Why? What are your own thoughts on the Provencal culture? Why?

Part 3) What crops are important in the U.S.? What is specifically grown in your region of the U.S.? How does this affect your community? How does this specifically affect your and your family? How does this, and other aspects of your culture, help you to relate to life in Provence?

Essay Topic 3

Peter tells a tale of singing toads.

Part 1) Describe the story of the singing toads. Why does Peter include this story in this book? How does this story compare to others in the book? How does this story support the purpose of this book?

Part 2) What does this story reveal or reinforce about Peter? What does it also reveal or reinforce about Provencal culture? What other odd stories are told in this book? Are you able to relate to these stories? If so, how? If not, why not?

Part 3) What odd tales could you tell of your own life? How have these strange events affected you and your life?

(see the answer keys)

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