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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. Peter contacts _____________, identified only as Monsieur X, for help for his friend Frank.

2. The diners manage to polish off most of the ___________, with the help of Andre.

3. In the spring, they will come out to mate. They will be trapped where?

4. Mayle keeps up with the correspondence as best he can but is truly ___________ when fans begin stopping by to get his autograph on their copies of his book.

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

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Peter feel about his toad findings? Why does he feel this way?

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

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

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

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

6. Why might the Mayles have invited the Gregoires to see the dog?

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

8. How does Peter get involved in this world of truffles?

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

10. What does Peter learn about toads at a cafe? What does Peter think of this? Why might he feel this way?

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 book opens with the author of the book going to a pharmacy.

Part 1) Why might the book open this way? What does it reveal about the author? What does it reveal about France? How does this aspect of France compare to America?

Part 2) How does the book proceed? How does one story lead to the next? Why does the book progress in this way? Do you find this to be an effective and engaging way of organizing a book? Why or why not?

Part 3) What do you believe are the most important parts of the book? Why? How do these parts of the book affect your opinion of the book, the author, and Provence?

Essay Topic 3

Peter and his wife learn a great deal about French culture while living in Provence.

Part 1) Describe French culture based on this book. Do you believe that Peter's description of French culture is an accurate one? Why or why not? Might French culture today be as Peter described it in this book? Why or why not?

Part 2) What are your thoughts about French culture, based on this book? Does Peter's description of French culture influence you in a positive way? Would you like to go to Provence? Why or why not?

Part 3) How does French culture compare to your own culture? How important is one's culture to one's personality and interests? How different might you be if you had grown up in Provence, rather than your own community?

(see the answer keys)

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