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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. One evening when Mayle is in the bar, Michel is conducting a tasting contest to determine which brand of _________ is the best pastis.

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

3. Often after a sale is finalized, the buyer notices what?

4. What does Peter do with Massot's plan?

5. Why does Mayle dash into a nearby cafe?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does the author describe Place Pie? What does this reinforce about him?

3. What is the epitome of the Luberon? How is this being destroyed by the increase in visitors and new residents?

4. What does Massot find in the area? What is his next suggestion? Is this a good suggestion? Why or why not?

5. How does Male find gold coins? Why does this matter to him?

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

7. Why does the author say that the dogs and owners resemble each other? Do you agree?

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

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

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

A large focus is put on truffles.

Part 1) What are truffles? What does the author have to say about truffles? Why are truffles important to the author and this story?

Part 2) What is learned about French culture, as well as other European cultures, from the truffle stories in this book?

Part 3) How can you relate to these truffle stories? How do these make sense in your own life? To what can these be compare in the U.S.?

Essay Topic 3

The title of the book is "Toujours Provence."

Part 1) How is this an appropriate title? What does it reveal about the writer? What clues does it give about the writer? What clues does it give the reader as to the subject and purpose of the book?

Part 2) What would another appropriate title be? Why? How important is the title of a book? What does the title reveal about the author and the book? How does it influence the reader?

Part 3) What were your initial thoughts about the title of this book? How did it immediately affect your opinion of the book? How did your opinion of the book evolve as you read the book? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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