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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. What most bothers Sedaris about the phrases he discusses in "A Better Place" ?
(a) They are empty of meaning.
(b) They are hypocritical.
(c) They are self-serving.
(d) They are obvious lies.

2. In "Lady Marmalade," what does Sedaris say about Lou's physical aggression towards him and his siblings?
(a) It scarred each of the siblings in different ways.
(b) Lou's aggression was mostly verbal and very seldom physical.
(c) Physical abuse is wrong, regardless of the context.
(d) Sedaris would want to be allowed to act the same way toward his own children.

3. In "Happy-Go-Lucky," how does Sedaris characterize continuing media coverage of the Covid pandemic?
(a) It is unrealistically optimistic.
(b) It fails to deliver important information.
(c) It is needlessly alarmist.
(d) It causes divisions among Americans.

4. In "A Speech to the Graduates," what does Sedaris say causes the resiliency of people in their early twenties?
(a) Physical attractiveness.
(b) Inexperience.
(c) Good health.
(d) Idealism.

5. In "Lady Marmalade," what new role does Lou take on once all of his children have moved out?
(a) Accountant.
(b) Landlord.
(c) Neighborhood watch.
(d) Photographer.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "A Speech to the Graduates," what is Sedaris's purpose in mentioning the speaker at his own graduation?

2. In "To Serbia with Love," what nationality is Milos?

3. In "A Better Place," what is Sedaris implying when he comments about the long lives of Dick Cheney, Henry Kissinger, and Rupert Murdoch?

4. In "A Speech to the Graduates," what reason does Sedaris offer for why the graduates should follow his advice?

5. In "Themes and Variations," what two topics does Sedaris note seem to overlap in many jokes?

(see the answer key)

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