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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. When does a storm break out?

2. How does this man feel about talking with Peter?

3. What is his card?

4. How does Mayle's wife feel when Mayle suggests that they should search for the owner?

5. What does their one friend suggest they plan on doing?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the book begin? What does this lead him to say about the French?

2. How does Mayle feel about fan mail at first? Why does he feel this way?

3. How do Mayle's feelings about fan mail change over time? Why?

4. What does Peter say about this tasting experience? Why does he give these details?

5. What is Peter's opinion of picnics? Why?

6. How does Peter end up in the small town of Chateauneuf-du-Pape? How might Peter feel about this trip?

7. Why might Peter's wife still plan a picnic, although he does not like them?

8. How is the toad story explained? Is it as odd and sensational as Peter had hoped? Why or why not?

9. How does Mayle's wife first come across Boy? How does this first encounter lead her to act? How do you feel about her behavior?

10. Describe the picnic area. How might this compare to Peter's experience in London?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Peter's wife has an interest in dogs.

Part 1) How is this interest revealed? How does this interest affect and influence events in the story? What is the purpose of including these details? What do these details reveal about the author, his wife, and others in the story?

Part 2) In what is Peter interested? How do you know this? How do his interests compare to those of his wife? How do these interests affect his behavior throughout the book?

Part 3) What are your own interests? How do they compare to those of the Mayles? How can you use your own interests to relate to the interests of the Mayles and events in this book?

Essay Topic 2

The title of the book is "Toujours Provence."

Part 1) How is this an appropriate title? What does it reveal about the writer? What clues does it give about the writer? What clues does it give the reader as to the subject and purpose of the book?

Part 2) What would another appropriate title be? Why? How important is the title of a book? What does the title reveal about the author and the book? How does it influence the reader?

Part 3) What were your initial thoughts about the title of this book? How did it immediately affect your opinion of the book? How did your opinion of the book evolve as you read the book? Why?

Essay Topic 3

The author is opinionated.

Part 1) Describe the author's opinions that are given throughout this book. How does he come to have these opinions? Why is he so opinionated? Is this good or bad? Why?

Part 2) Do you agree with his opinions? Why or why not? Do his opinions change throughout the story? Why or why not? How do his opinions affect your opinions? Do they have any influence over you? If so, how? if not, why not?

Part 3) About what are you opinionated? Why? What does this reveal about you? Overall, do you believe you are an opinionated person? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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