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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. Based on its mild climate and upscale life-style, the Provence region is often referred to as what?

2. In postcard format, Mayle makes some observations about his _______________ in the Lubéron.

3. The peasants often prove to be ___________________________ their sophisticated buyers.

4. The Mayles plan to attend the annual dog show held in _____________ in the Ménerbes stadium.

5. _____________ bars are located inside Les Halles, one of which called Chez Kiki, which serves champagne long before most people in town are awake.

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the chapter end? What does this reveal about those involved in dog shows?

2. What fashion icon promotes this region of France? Why?

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

4. What does Massot do regarding the hunt for gold? Why does he do this?

5. 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?

6. Why is Mayle in Avignon? Why is this important enough to include in the book?

7. Why does Mayle decide to not install a security system? Is this a good reason? Why or why not?

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

9. Describe the venue in which Pavarotti performs. Why does Mayle include this information?

10. Why do the Mayles skip the morning dog show trials? Do you find this part of the dog show unusual or odd? Why or why not?

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

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?

Essay Topic 3

Peter's return to London is enlightening.

Part 1) Describe Peter's return to London. How is it enlightening? What does it reveal about Peter? What does it also reveal about London, Provence, and the people of these regions of the world?

Part 2) How does Peter continue to change after this visit to London? How are these changes revealed? Do Peter's English friends see these as positive changes? Why or why not? Do you see these as positive changes? Why or why not?

Part 3) Describe an experience in your own life that was enlightening. How was it enlightening? How did this experience affect you? Was this a permanent effect? Why or why not? How does your own experience compare to Peter's?

(see the answer keys)

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