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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 man explains that the toads are dormant and hidden where?

3. How is the card signed?

4. What does Mayle fear about the festival?

5. What does Mayle regret about his book signing?

Short Essay Questions

1. What takes place prior to Boy and the Gregoires' dog breeding? Why does the breeding not go as planned?

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

3. What happens to Peter because of the lunch he eats? How is this a good ending to his trip to the wine region?

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

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

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

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

8. Why is Peter's friend, Frank, worried and on edge? Should he feel this way?

9. What does Monsieur X ask Peter to do next spring? What does this reveal about their relationship?

10. What happens to Faustin? How does he feel about this?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

The author finds old coins on his property.

Part 1) Describe the finding of these coins. Why does he involve his neighbors in this? What does this reveal about his relationship with them?

Part 2) What does this treasure-hunting adventure reveal and/or reinforce about the author and others? How does this story compare to others in this book? What similarities exist? How is this book, as a whole, a treasure hunt?

Part 3) What does all this hunting reveal about the author and about Provence? How can you relate to this specific treasure hunt and other stories involving finding something or gaining information about something?

Essay Topic 3

Peter makes observations about summers in Luberon.

Part 1) Describe Peter's observations. How does he share these observations with the reader? How does this style of writing compare to the rest of the book? What are your thoughts on the way Peter presents this information?

Part 2) Why are the summers in Luberon important to the author? How are the summers compared to other seasons? How are the details of these summers tied to Provencal and French culture?

Part 3) What are summers like in your own community? How do they compare to summers in Luberon? What are the reasons for these similarities and differences? Would you prefer to be in Luberon or your own community for the summer? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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