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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. According to Jocelyn Dunbar in "Season's Greetings...", who is the most intelligent of her children"
(a) Jackelyn
(b) Khe Sahn
(c) Kyle
(d) Kevin

2. Why does the boy in the elevator refuse the Cheetos in "The Curly Kind"?
(a) They were crushed.
(b) They are stale.
(c) He wanted potato chips.
(d) They are not the curly kind.

3. What excuse does Malison give to Bethany for not going out for a drink with her in "After Malison"?
(a) His wife is ill
(b) He is not interested in her
(c) His wife is about to give birth to their baby
(d) He has another reading to attend

4. What reason does the author give for wanting to work at UPS in "Santaland Diaries"?
(a) He desperately needs money.
(b) He hears they have excellent benefits.
(c) He likes the uniform.
(d) He sees it as an opportunity to utilize his leadership skills.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who does Sedaris impersonate singing "Away in the Manger" while working with Santa Santa in "Santaland Diaries"?

2. What job did Sedaris hope to get on "One Life to Live" in "Santaland Diaries"?

3. Why does Vicki drop out of high school in "Jamboree"?

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

5. What does Malison name each of the characters in his second novel in "After Malison"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Trudy Chase in "Barrel Fever"? How does the narrator react to a phone call from Trudy?

2. What does the narrator of "Giantess" expect his fellow workers to do as they are waiting in the apartment of an extremely rich client? What do they actually do?

3. 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?

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

5. What disgusts the narrator of "After Malison" the most during his master's writing seminar?

6. How does the narrator deal with parents requesting to visit a Santa of a certain race in "Santaland Diaries"?

7. How does the narrator of "Diary of A Smoker" feel about smoking?

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

9. How does the narrator of "Barrel Fever" feel about the word "nice"? Why does he feel this way?

10. What does the narrator do to Marty's motorcycle in "Jamboree"? Who does Marty believe is responsible for the damages?

(see the answer keys)

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