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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. The phrases "'I hope it doesn't tire him out'" and "'the original boob tube'" in "Firestone" are examples of...

2. How does the narrator of "Parade" feel about how he was treated by his parents when he was a child?

3. Who does Anita O'Day claim is the manager of her record company?

4. How does Don ultimately get to Los Angeles after being thrown off of the bus in "Don's Story"?

5. Which of the following is NOT one of Annette's unique physical traits in "The Last You'll Hear From Me"?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. What is the tone of the story "Parade"? How does the author create this tone?

3. What does Glen dream about in "Glen's Homophobia Newsletter"? What does he tell Drew he dreamed about? Why?

4. Retell the story about the student priest that Mr. Holt tells Chad in "My Manuscript".

5. How does the narrator of "Parade" describe Patrick Buchanan?

6. Describe Chad's father's childhood in "My Manuscript".

7. What prompts Mr. Holt to send Chad to Mr. Chatam for guitar lessons in "My Manuscript"?

8. Describe the instances of "homophobia" that Glen believes he experiences after speaking with Drew on the phone in "Glen's Homophobia Newsletter".

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

10. In "Music for Lovers", why does the narrator often give his daughter stitches? What does he recommend when giving someone stitches?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In "Barrel Fever", David Sedaris offers a variety of wacky minor characters for the reader to enjoy. Select two of the following characters and compare and contrast them in an essay:

1) Taylor in "Firestone"

2) Aunt Margery in "We Get Along"

3) Marty in "Jamboree"

4) Gill in "Barrel Fever"

Essay Topic 2

Two of Sedaris' stories in "Barrel Fever" ("Glen's Homophobia Newsletter" and "Season's Greetings to our Family and Friends") are written as letters. In your essay,

1) discuss how letters are typically used by people,

2) discuss how Sedaris uses the genre of the letter in each of these stories, and

3) analyze the statement the author is trying to make about the genre of the letter.

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

Essay Topic 3

Two of Sedaris' stories in "Barrel Fever" ("The Last You'll Hear From Me" and "Don's Story") are written as speeches. In your essay,

1) discuss how speeches are typically used by people,

2) discuss how Sedaris uses the genre of speech in each of these stories, and

3) analyze the statement the author is trying to make about the genre of speech.

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

(see the answer keys)

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