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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. Mayle's wife spots a man walking down the road to _______________ with a large dog at his side.

2. Why does Peter agree with Frank regarding his feelings of worry?

3. The party will be held in picturesque ______________ and the guests will arrive by horse and carriage provided by local chef and friend, Maurice, who will also be providing the gourmet food.

4. What does Mayle regret about his book signing?

5. He was invited by his friend, Michel, ________________, to visit the famous wine caves of the region.

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Peter's birthday card. Why might he have been given this?

2. How does Benson react to the French doctor? Why might he react this way?

3. Why does Mayle's wife bring the dog home? Should she have done this? Why or why not?

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

5. What does Mayle say about the life of a writer?

6. What does Peter ask about tasting the wine? Why does he ask this? How does Michel respond? Why might Michel respond this way?

7. How does the language barrier lead to humor in this chapter?

8. How is Peter Mayle confused by the American visitor? How does this lead to a jab at Americans?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Mayle dislikes picnics.

Part 1) Why is this important to the story? Why does this fact not sway Mayle's wife when she plans a picnic? What does this reveal about her and her relationship with her husband?

Part 2) How is Peter's opinion regarding picnics changed? What other strong opinions does Peter have early on in the book that change over the course of his time in Provence? What leads to these changes? For the most part, are these good changes? Why or why not?

Part 3) How have your own opinions changed over time? What led to these changes? Do you believe your opinions will continue to change? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Lavender is an important crop in Provence.

Part 1) How does the author reveal its importance in this story? How is the author involved in the growing and/or harvesting of lavender? Why does he get involved? What might the author think of the production of lavender, based on his experiences with it?

Part 2) What other aspects of Provence are uniquely Provencal? How do these combine to make the Provencal culture? What are the author's thoughts on Provencal culture? Why? What are your own thoughts on the Provencal culture? Why?

Part 3) What crops are important in the U.S.? What is specifically grown in your region of the U.S.? How does this affect your community? How does this specifically affect your and your family? How does this, and other aspects of your culture, help you to relate to life in Provence?

(see the answer keys)

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