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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. What genre could "Parade" be classified as?

2. Who does the narrator's mother insult at the beginning of "We Get Along"?

3. Who is Mr. Chatam in "My Manuscript"?

4. Why does Melinda begin crying in "Glen's Homophobia Newsletter"?

5. How do most of the customers in "Firestone" react to the narrator's attempts to convert them to his religion?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Chad's relationship with Terry Glassman in "My Manuscript"?

2. What insults does the narrator of "The Last You'll Hear From Me" hurl at Annette and Randy?

3. What specific directions does the narrator of "The Last You'll Hear From Me" give Eileen for the dress she is to wear to the funeral?

4. In "Glen's Homophobia Newsletter", why is Drew having difficulty in his psychology class? What does Glen offer to do to help Drew?

5. What is the genre of "Don's Story"? How is it a "spoof" on an actual piece in this genre?

6. Describe The Sportsman in "We Get Along".

7. Describe the scene at Barbra Streisand's house in "Don's Story".

8. Describe the narrator of "Parade"'s relationship with Bruce Springsteen (from his perspective).

9. In "We Get Along", what does the narrator think the initials W.S. stand for? Why?

10. Why does Drew react negatively after Glen shares his dreams with him in "Glen's Homophobia Newsletter"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

While David Sedaris' stories are often described as sharp and cutting, they also offer a level of empathy and kindness towards their characters. Select 2 of the stories where Sedaris shows empathy and discuss how he shows kindness towards his characters. Compare and contrast the ways kindness is shown in each of these stories. Be sure to use evidence from the stories to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

Through the stories in "Barrel Fever", David Sedaris demonstrates what he believes humor is. Drawing on evidence from the stories:

1) define "humor" from Sedaris' point of view, and

2) discuss how he shows his readers what he believes is funny through his stories.

Be sure to use evidence from the stories to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

The final four pieces in "Barrel Fever" are listed as "essays". In your essay,

1) describe the qualities that an essay typically has,

2) discuss how two of these pieces fit the genre of essay, and

3) discuss how two of these pieces present a unique take on the genre of essay.

Be sure to use evidence from the stories to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 968 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample