View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who wanted to go through the crowd of spectators and goats and drivers?

2. What were the pieges a feu that Massot threatened to use against the Germans?

3. How does the carpet get soaked?

4. Where is the heating system located?

5. When the Mayles finally see Santa Claus what is he doing?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Faustin advise the Mayles to do and why?

2. Describe the Cote d'Azur.

3. What is the irony of Christmas Day to the Mayles?

4. List the locals who come to the Mayles for Christmas tips and tell what they bring as gifts

5. How do the Mayles learn about bread?

6. In what year does Massot plan to sell his home and why?

7. What frightened friends of the Mayles who were staying at a nearby hotel?

8. Describe the man Peter meets in the forest.

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

10. Describe the rusty contraption Peter finds at the edge of the vineyard.

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

As has been mentioned before, there are many colorful characters among the people of Provence whom the Mayles come in contact with.

Part 1) Describe the neighbor, Massot. Is he a sympathetic character? An interesting character? What are some of the strange things he thinks and does?

Part 2) Menicucci is a character whom Peter turns to when he has a problem. Write an essay with a description of Menicucci which explains why Peter trusts him so. Mention some of the things Menicucci does for Peter in the book.

Part 3) Faustin and his wife Henriette are also important characters in the book. Describe them and their relationship to the Mayles. How do the couples interact?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 873 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample