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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. Who is the narrator in "The Last You'll Hear From Me"?

2. In "Glen's Homophobia Newsletter", what does Glen picture Drew as in one of his "dreams"?

3. Why does the narrator of "Music for Lovers" want to remove his uvula?

4. What did Nick Papanides like to cook with eggplant in "We Get Along"?

5. Why is Taylor given many of the narrator's job duties in "Firestone"?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. 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?

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

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

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

6. In "We Get Along", what do the narrator and his mother do late at night? Why?

7. Describe the narrator of "The Last You'll Hear From Me".

8. Contrast the narrator in "Firestone" with his co-workers (Carlton and Taylor).

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

10. How does Chad conduct research for his book in "My Manuscript"?

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

Each of the stories in "Barrel Fever" has its own unique narrator. Select 4 of the stories and:

1) describe the narrator of each story,

2) discuss the role the narrator plays in the story, and

3) examine the ways the narrator influences how the reader experiences the story.

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

Essay Topic 3

Look at the ordering of the stories in the collection and write an essay:

1) describing the progression of stories in the collection, and

2) explaining why you think the author chose to order the stories in this way.

Be sure to use specific examples from the stories to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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