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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. ____________ dogs are the first to go through the trials.

2. Scores of ____________ are on sale everywhere one looks--laying on blankets, under trees and stacked in boxes.

3. Régis is a large man and is dressed casually in what?

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

5. During the period when Robert was in law enforcement, he ate breakfast where each morning?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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. What does Mayle learn from a woman during the concert? Do you believe her? Why or why not?

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

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

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

9. 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?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

The Mayle's life is full of colorful people.

Part 1) Describe these colorful people. How are these colorful people tied to the unique experiences in the Mayles' lives? How do they support the author's opinion of Provence?

Part 2) How do these people, along with the author's unique experiences, enhance the book for the reader? How do these people affect your own opinion of Provence and France as a whole?

Part 3) What colorful and unique people exist in your own life? How do they affect your life? What would your life be like without them? Would it be better? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The author describes a trip to Les Halles.

Part 1) What is Les Halles? What takes place at Les Halles? Why does the author include this trip in this book?

Part 2) Do you find this trip and these details about Les Halles to be important to the story? Why or why not? How does this story progress the plot or support the author's purpose for writing this book?

Part 3) Does the U.S. have anything like Les Halles? If so, what? If not, why not? What does Les Halles reveal about French culture? Is this something Americans have in common with the French? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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