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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. Although the wise men in the village had promised rain by ____________, conditions remain dry and parched.

2. Often after a sale is finalized, the buyer notices what?

3. A man who is entering his tall black Great Dane in the contest is himself dressed in __________ from head to toe.

4. The tiny airport in Avignon is boasting direct flights to __________________ and will probably soon be referred to as Avignon International Airport.

5. French Vogue follows up with a _____________-page spread about the Lubéron.

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Regis. What are you thoughts about this individual?

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

3. How does the town of Orange feel about Pavarotti's arrival? Why do they feel this way?

4. Describe the venue in which Pavarotti performs. Why does Mayle include this information?

5. 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?

6. What does Massot do regarding the hunt for gold? Why does he do this?

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

8. How does the drought and fire risk affect Mayle? How does this chapter end? Why does it end this way?

9. What is pastis? Why is there a chapter about it?

10. How does the chapter end? What does this reveal about those involved in dog shows?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Mayle dislikes picnics.

Part 1) Why is this important to the story? Why does this fact not sway Mayle's wife when she plans a picnic? What does this reveal about her and her relationship with her husband?

Part 2) How is Peter's opinion regarding picnics changed? What other strong opinions does Peter have early on in the book that change over the course of his time in Provence? What leads to these changes? For the most part, are these good changes? Why or why not?

Part 3) How have your own opinions changed over time? What led to these changes? Do you believe your opinions will continue to change? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

The Mayles go to a dog show.

Part 1) Why do they attend a dog show? What does the author observe while at this dog show? How is this connected to other parts of the story? What does this reinforce about the characters and their experiences in Provence?

Part 2) What does the author notice about the dogs and their owners? Do you agree with him? Why or why not? Why might the owners do this? Do you find this odd? Why or why not?

Part 3) How are the details of this dog show important to the author? How are the details of life, as a whole, in Provence important to the author? Why? How do these details affect the reader?

(see the answer keys)

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