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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. The local _________________ are in great demand and becoming quite wealthy.

2. The Lubéron is described in a recent issue of American Vogue as what?

3. A high-speed train is planned for Provence. Why?

4. The tiny airport in Avignon is boasting direct flights to __________________ and will probably soon be referred to as Avignon International Airport.

5. A woman sitting nearby insists that Pavarotti does what in between songs?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the town of Orange feel about Pavarotti's arrival? Why do they feel this way?

2. What is Mayle's fear regarding Massot? Is this a rational fear? Why or why not?

3. What does Mayle notice about Robert? What does this foreshadow?

4. How is Mrs. Mayle's weakness for dogs taken advantage of here? How does the author seem to feel about her weakness? How do you know this?

5. How does the drought and fire risk affect Mayle? How does this chapter end? Why does it end this way?

6. How has the influx of visitors in Provence affected travel?

7. What does Mayle think of this market? How do you know this?

8. What is Provence eventually declared? To what does this lead? Will this help the region? Why or why not?

9. What is pastis? Why is there a chapter about it?

10. What is another consequence of the drought. How might this affect the revenue of the region?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Peter tells a tale of singing toads.

Part 1) Describe the story of the singing toads. Why does Peter include this story in this book? How does this story compare to others in the book? How does this story support the purpose of this book?

Part 2) What does this story reveal or reinforce about Peter? What does it also reveal or reinforce about Provencal culture? What other odd stories are told in this book? Are you able to relate to these stories? If so, how? If not, why not?

Part 3) What odd tales could you tell of your own life? How have these strange events affected you and your life?

(see the answer keys)

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