View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What did the narrator's sister, Vicki aspire to be when she was younger? ("Jamboree")
(a) A designer
(b) A record producer
(c) A singer
(d) A dancer

2. Where did Malison grow up in "After Malison"?
(a) New York City
(b) Rotunda Surf
(c) Chesterton
(d) Los Angeles

3. Why does the narrator's mother ask her husband to go back to their house when she is headed to the hospital with pneumonia in "Diary of A Smoker"?
(a) To say goodbye to her children
(b) To smoke one last cigarette
(c) To get something she forgot
(d) To get her cigarettes

4. Which of the following words/phrases is NOT part of Khe Sahn's vocabulary according to Jocelyn in "Season's Greetings..."?
(a) Daddy
(b) Shiny
(c) Five dollar
(d) Thank you

5. What frightens the narrator most about his job as an elf in "Santaland Diaries"?
(a) Having a child throw up on him
(b) Wearing an elf costume
(c) Working the cash register
(d) Clocking in on one of the store's computers

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Don's legal name in "Season's Greetings...."?

2. Where is the camera located in Santa Land in "Santaland Diaries"?

3. Who did the narrator of "Jamboree" believe would want to "cash in" on his sister's success?

4. Why does Jocelyn repeatedly yell at Khe Sahn in "Season's Greetings..."?

5. Why does the narrator of "After Malison" agree to let the old man sit at her table at the hotel bar?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the author feel about adults who dress in costumes for their jobs in "Santaland Diaries"? How does he believe he will be different if he is hired as one of Santa's elves?

2. What are the two reasons the narrator gives for boycotting Malison's reading in "After Malison"?

3. Describe Marty Jr.'s appearance in "Jamboree".

4. What does the narrator's mother give him before she dies in "Barrel Fever"? Why does she give him this gift?

5. What story does Sedaris tell the little boy Riley when he throws a temper tantrum in "Santaland Diaries"?

6. What story does the narrator of "Giantess" think he and Lili should tell the man whose plate they broke?

7. What connection do the elves working at Santa Land have with "One Life to Live" in "Santaland Diaries"?

8. Describe "the Walrus" in "Santaland Diaries".

9. Why is Jocelyn Dunbar suspected of murdering Don and framing Khe Sahn in "Season's Greetings..."?

10. Who is Jamboree in "Jamboree"? How does the narrator feel about him?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 970 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample