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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Section 5: "Happy-Go Lucky" through "Lady Marmalade".

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In "A Speech to the Graduates," what does Sedaris say might prevent today's young people from enjoying a period of independence and exploration?
(a) Health care costs.
(b) Student debt.
(c) The housing crisis.
(d) The job market.

2. In "A Better Place," what is Sedaris's response to the idea that his father will always be with him?
(a) His father is not some kind of eternal stalker.
(b) He does not want his father to be with him.
(c) He will make an effort to swear less, in that case.
(d) His father was never with him in life.

3. In "A Speech to the Graduates," what reason does Sedaris offer for why the graduates should follow his advice?
(a) He has their best interests at heart.
(b) He is a successful person.
(c) He can back up his advice with empirical evidence.
(d) He wishes someone had told him these things when he was younger.

4. In "To Serbia with Love," what do the problems Sedaris lists with potential travel companions have in common?
(a) They involve overscheduling time at the expense of real relaxation.
(b) They involve choosing active experiences with nature over cultural engagement.
(c) They involve sacrificing convenience for a cheaper price.
(d) They involve choosing variety over depth of experience.

5. In "A Better Place," what objection does Sedaris make to people saying that his father did his best?
(a) Very few people actually do their best.
(b) Results matter as much as intentions.
(c) His father was neglectful and uninterested.
(d) His father was an abusive alcoholic.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "A Speech to the Graduates," what is Sedaris's purpose in mentioning Gretchen's program of study and Amy's work at Second City?

2. In "To Serbia with Love," what irritates Sedaris about his driver in Lisbon?

3. In "Highfalutin," how does Sedaris contrast Amy's perspective with his own?

4. In "A Speech to the Graduates," what advice is Sedaris defending with his example of a grandmother who gives a grandchild a graduation gift?

5. In "Hurricane Season," what motivates Hugh to lock Gretchen and Sedaris out of the house?

(see the answer key)

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