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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 happened to the elegant gathering when Vivaldi was replaced by Little Richard?

2. Where was Peter's friend's house built?

3. What game do the Mayles play at the end of July?

4. What had some friends of the Mayles seen in their hotel room which frightened them?

5. What cafe do the Mayles eat at in November?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did the grapes on the Mayles' land have to be picked?

2. Why can't the meter reader read the meter and how does Menicucci fix the problem?

3. What English Christmas festivities did the Mayles miss?

4. Describe the Cote d'Azur.

5. What were some of the "August Sayings" of visitors to Provence?

6. Describe the dinner the Mayles are invited to in November.

7. At the suggestion of Bernard, the pool man, where do the Mayles go to eat?

8. How does Peter stock his wine cellar?

9. Describe the woman who advises the Mayles about olive oil.

10. Describe the plan Madame Mayle has for getting the workmen back on the job to complete the work before Christmas.

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

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?

Essay Topic 3

Three weather conditions in Provence are introduced in the book. These conditions are: the Mistral, the snow and the rains. The book describes the affect these conditions have on the land and the people etc.

Choose one of these weather conditions which take place in Provence in the book and write an essay describing it and its affect on the land and people , the Mayles in particular.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 797 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample