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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 happens to the curtains of Marilyn Notkin's apartment in "Giantess"?

2. Why is the author uncomfortable washing the blinds in the bathroom with G.L. in "The Curly Kind"?

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

4. What does Sedaris notice happens to the giantess characters in the stories as they grow in "Giantess"?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does the narrator's mother give him before she dies in "Barrel Fever"? Why does she give him this gift?

3. What theme joins the four scenarios in "The Curly Kind"?

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

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

6. Describe "the Walrus" in "Santaland Diaries".

7. Describe Santa Santa in "Santaland Diaries".

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

9. 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?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Several of the stories in this collection offer a commentary on relationships. Select three of the stories in which this commentary is developed and:

1) explain what the stories say about relationships,

2) demonstrate how the author develops this commentary in the story, and

3) respond to the author's commentary: Do you agree or disagree with him? Why?

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

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

One of the themes in the collection of short stories "Barrel Fever" is that of reality versus fantasy. Select three of the stories dealing with this theme and:

1) explain what the story says about reality and fantasy, and

2) demonstrate how the theme is developed in the story.

Then explain what you think Sedaris' overall commentary on reality vs. fantasy is in the novel as a whole.

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

(see the answer keys)

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