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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the author's opinion of his mother's housekeeper's skills in "The Curly Kind"?
(a) He believes she is the most skilled housekeeper he has ever seen.
(b) He believes she spends too much time vacuuming.
(c) He believes she is a lazy, incompetent housekeeper.
(d) He is ambivalent towards her.

2. How does the author meet G.L. in "The Curly Kind"?
(a) He is sent to clean his blinds.
(b) He is a friend of Lena Payne's.
(c) He meets him in his apartment's elevator.
(d) He is sent to unpack his books.

3. Who did the narrator of "Jamboree" believe would want to "cash in" on his sister's success?
(a) Their mother
(b) Their step-mother
(c) Their father
(d) His brother-in-law

4. Why is the narrator of "After Malison" desperate to talk with Malison one-on-one?
(a) She is in love with him.
(b) She believes she understands his work in a way others do not.
(c) She is trying to keep him away from her friend Bethany.
(d) She wants him to read her new novel.

5. What is the author's elf name in "Santaland Diaries"?
(a) Crumpet
(b) Sleighbell
(c) Usher
(d) Walrus

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does the narrator of "Diary of a Smoker" schedule a doctor's appointment?

2. Which of the following words/phrases is NOT part of Khe Sahn's vocabulary according to Jocelyn in "Season's Greetings..."?

3. What excuse does Malison give to Bethany for not going out for a drink with her in "After Malison"?

4. What is the only unique thing about people according to the narrator in "Santaland Diaries"?

5. Why does the boy in the elevator refuse the Cheetos in "The Curly Kind"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Kyle Dunbar in "Season's Greetings to Our Family and Friends".

2. Describe Dolph's confrontation with Alicia Cunningham in "Barrel Fever".

3. Describe the experience of visiting the oldest Santa in "Santaland Diaries".

4. How does Jocelyn feel about her daughter's marriage to Timothy Speaks in "Season's Greetings..."? How does this compare to her feelings about her grandson, Don?

5. Which elf duty is the narrator's least favorite in "Santaland Diaries"? Why does he feel this way?

6. Describe the scene in Macy's on Christmas Eve in "Santaland Diaries".

7. Describe Khe Sahn's arrival at the Dunbar home in "Season's Greetings to Our Friends and Family".

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

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

10. Describe the narrator's elf costume in "Santaland Diaries".

(see the answer keys)

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