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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. Because it was so still in the valley in February what did Monsieur Massot say one could hear?

2. The ruins of what chateau do they see on their bicycle ride?

3. Why did the Mayles neglect visiting many of the tourist locations in Provence?

4. How lond a trip was it to go buy a loaf of bread?

5. Where had Tony found a house that interested him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was the biggest obstacle to the Mayles in buying a house in Provence?

2. Retell briefly the story Massot told about a peasant who coveted his neighbor's house.

3. Explain why Peter was cheered up by the story he hears about Christian , his architect

4. How does donating blood in Provence differ from donating blood in England?

5. Describe how truffles are gathered.

6. Describe Pierrot of Lacoste

7. What is Monsieur Menicucci's theory about why the winters in Provence were becoming colder?

8. List some of the flyers the advertising industry puts on windshields in June

9. List some of the things on the menu at the restaurant the Mayles visited in Buoux.

10. What does Menicucci's assistant wear in April?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Now that you have read the entire book and this is the last essay topic, do you think that you would want to buy a house in Provence and live there for a year anytime during your life? Write an essay telling how the book influenced your answer to this question. Include anything in the book which supports and explains your answer.

Essay Topic 2

In the book two markets are described. The Mayles go to these markets on Sunday. The first market they visit is in Coustellet, the second in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.

Choose one of these markets and write an essay on the market including a detailed description of the market, the people at the market and what was sold at the market. Tell

why you thought the market you chose to write about was colorful or particularly interesting. Did you learn anything about the people in Provence from reading about the market? What did you learn?

Essay Topic 3

Time and time again throughout the book you can see how Peter and his wife treat the people of Provence: their neighbors, the workmen they hire , the people they meet in the village etc. Write an essay describing the way the Mayles view and treat the people they come in contact with in Provence. Do you think they have chosen a good approach to getting to know the people in Provence? Would you do likewise if you were to spend a year in Provence? If not, what would you do that would be different? Do you think the Mayles' friendly interaction with the people they come in contact with has the greatest impact on how they view their year in Provence? If not, what other thing is more important?

(see the answer keys)

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