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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. Why does Peter fall asleep under a tree in the backyard?

2. Fans seek autographs from Mayle's neighbor, ____________, who is mentioned in the book as well as Monsieur Menicucci, a colorful, local plumber.

3. Mayle reminds his wife that he __________ picnics, based on his experiences in London.

4. What is his card?

5. In ______________, Peter decides to travel to the small town of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the wine country.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why might the Mayles have invited the Gregoires to see the dog?

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

3. How is Peter Mayle confused by the American visitor? How does this lead to a jab at Americans?

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

5. How does Peter end up in the small town of Chateauneuf-du-Pape? How might Peter feel about this trip?

6. What takes place prior to Boy and the Gregoires' dog breeding? Why does the breeding not go as planned?

7. Why does Mayle's wife bring the dog home? Should she have done this? Why or why not?

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

9. What happens to Peter because of the lunch he eats? How is this a good ending to his trip to the wine region?

10. How does Mayle feel about fan mail at first? Why does he feel this way?

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

Peter's wife has an interest in dogs.

Part 1) How is this interest revealed? How does this interest affect and influence events in the story? What is the purpose of including these details? What do these details reveal about the author, his wife, and others in the story?

Part 2) In what is Peter interested? How do you know this? How do his interests compare to those of his wife? How do these interests affect his behavior throughout the book?

Part 3) What are your own interests? How do they compare to those of the Mayles? How can you use your own interests to relate to the interests of the Mayles and events in this book?

Essay Topic 3

The author evolves throughout this book.

Part 1) How does he act at the beginning of the book? What are his thoughts and opinions about France at the beginning of the book? Are these opinions and beliefs accurate? Why or why not?

Part 2) How do his beliefs and opinions change over the course of the book? What leads to these changes? How are these changes reflected in his own and his wife's behaviors? Are these good changes? Why or why not?

Part 3) What opinions have you had that changed? What caused these changes? How have these changes affected your life?

(see the answer keys)

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