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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. Which tree was beginning to blossom in March?

2. What became the lead story in the local newspaper in early February?

3. Who actually does the work of cleaning the green fuzz from the Mayles' pool?

4. Who is recommended to help the Mayles with their courtyard?

5. What did the dogs of Provence learn to do during the cold February weather?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe some of the changes in Monsieur Menicucci's wardrobe in April.

2. What were the reasons Faustin gave to Peter Mayle for no longer growing melons?

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

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

5. What does the Mayles' temporary kitchen consist of?

6. The dinner party the Mayles are invited to is memorable for what reason?

7. Describe how the dogs reacted to the snow and ice.

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

9. Describe some of the kissing practices in France.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are many customs of kissing and body contact in Provence which differ greatly from the customs in America.

Part 1) Write a description of the different ways of kissing in France. How do they kiss in Paris? How do they kiss in Provence? Men kiss eachother. Does that repell you?

Part 2) Besides kissing there is other body contact in Provence. Describe it and its meaning?.

Part 3) Write a description of some of the different forms of body language the Provencals use. What are the different kinds of body language and what do they mean?

Essay Topic 2

Different events happening at different times of the year in Provence are important to the book. For example there's the tourist season, the harvest season, the hunting season etc.

Choose one of the seasons mentioned above and write a detailed description of it in an essay How does learning about it help you understand Provence and its people better. How do they differ from you or from Americans in general? Why did you choose that topic to write about?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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