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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. What were the Mayles given after they had donated blood?

2. What did Monsieur Menicucci think was scandalous?

3. How many fountains are there along the length of the main street in Aix?

4. Who is the architect?

5. What animals used to destroy the melon field?

Short Essay Questions

1. What were some of the characteristics of the stone in Provence?

2. Why were the journalists happy about the lead story "Provence Under Blanket of Snow?"

3. Describe some of the hand and finger movements the French use to express themselves.

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

5. Describe the market in Coustellet.

6. What is the arrangement the Mayles have with their neighbors concerning the grapes grown on the property?

7. What are the two things Antoine Massot, the Mayles' neighbor, likes to talk about with people he meets?

8. What is Lucerne?

9. Why did the Mayles purchase a house in Provence?

10. Describe some of the kissing practices in France.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are a number of different animals portrayed in the book.

1) Describe the three different kinds of dogs used for hunting in Provence. Tell how the hunters find the dogs if they get lost during the hunt.

2) The Mayles attend a goat race. There are many comical things about the race and the goats in the race. Describe the goats . Why are some goats supposed to be faster? Describe how the goats fare during the race. Are there similar animal races in the U.S., perhaps at a country fair?

3) Choose three of your favorite animals in the book and write about them. For example, there's Penelope, the dog, there's an ass who takes part in a Christmas creche in the village and there are Massot's three dogs.

Essay Topic 2

Early in the book the Mayles experience the Mistral.

Part 1) What is the Mistral? Where does it come from? Why is it important in the book? It appears twice in the book. Write a short description of the two different appearances of the Mistral.

Part 2) What are some of the effects on people and animals attributed to the Mistral in the book? How is the Mayles' house affected by the Mistral?

Part 3) Monsieur Menicucci has a theory about why the last three winters in Provence have been colder because of a change in the Mistral. Explain his theory. Does it seem

plausible to you?

Essay Topic 3

Choose the character in the book you like the least. Who is that character? What is his or her name? Describe his or her appearance if that is given. Describe his or her personality and character. Is this person important to the book or the Mayles? In what way? Why don't you like that character?

(see the answer keys)

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