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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. Sedaris is disappointed when

2. At the end of the essay, Sedaris compares himself to

3. Sedaris has trouble sleeping since

4. Sedaris bonds with the other students

5. When Sedaris watches American movies in Paris, he

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Sedaris even more afraid to speak French while taking a class in Paris?

2. Why does Sedaris finally start referring to nouns in their plural form?

3. Why is Sedaris relieved that he squeals and grabs his neighbors' legs when the men are injured by the vachettes?

4. What does Sedaris notice about Americans while living in France?

5. Ultimately, how does Sedaris claim to feel about Hugh's experiences?

6. While watching the girl dangle from a broken ride at the Paris street fair, what is Sedaris most concerned about?

7. Why are Sedaris' fantasies about manipulating American people rather than French people?

8. Why is Reggie so indignant about his job on the construction site clean-up crew?

9. Why does Sedaris fear he is considered the village idiot in Normandy?

10. Why does Sedaris eventually take the Mensa IQ test?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

If "Selfishness and self-absorption are deadly charm-exterminators," how does Sedaris remain interesting and sympathetic despite his descriptions of himself throughout the book? Write an essay in which you identify specific strategies, such as humor and hyperbole, that contribute favorably to Sedaris' style, even when he is offering self-criticism.

Essay Topic 2

Comedian George Carlin once said, ""When you're born, you get a ticket to the freak show. When you're born in America, you get a front row seat." Write an essay in which you identify Sedaris' attitude toward the freakish qualities of Americans. Be sure to use specific examples from the text to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

Through several of his essays, Sedaris explores the theme of belonging. Choose three examples from the text that illustrate Sedaris' feelings about belonging, and write an essay in which you explore his viewpoint, supporting your argument with text.

(see the answer keys)

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