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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 helps Mayle get out of a parking ticket?

2. There are a limited amount of properties, which ________________ the competitiveness among the agents.

3. At the Ménerbes dog show, the dogs are dressed in fashions to resemble who?

4. There is often comment about dogs resembling who?

5. He explains that he must be ___________________ when he eats.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do the Mayles skip the morning dog show trials? Do you find this part of the dog show unusual or odd? Why or why not?

2. Why does Mayle decide to not install a security system? Is this a good reason? Why or why not?

3. How is the real estate market affected in Luberon? How is this both good and bad?

4. What is Mayle's fear regarding Massot? Is this a rational fear? Why or why not?

5. What is another consequence of the drought. How might this affect the revenue of the region?

6. How has the influx of visitors in Provence affected travel?

7. How does this market show cultural differences between the French and other cultures?

8. What does Mayle learn from a woman during the concert? Do you believe her? Why or why not?

9. What does Massot find in the area? What is his next suggestion? Is this a good suggestion? Why or why not?

10. What fashion icon promotes this region of France? Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author finds old coins on his property.

Part 1) Describe the finding of these coins. Why does he involve his neighbors in this? What does this reveal about his relationship with them?

Part 2) What does this treasure-hunting adventure reveal and/or reinforce about the author and others? How does this story compare to others in this book? What similarities exist? How is this book, as a whole, a treasure hunt?

Part 3) What does all this hunting reveal about the author and about Provence? How can you relate to this specific treasure hunt and other stories involving finding something or gaining information about something?

Essay Topic 2

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 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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