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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 causes the resiliency of people in their early twenties?
(a) Inexperience.
(b) Idealism.
(c) Good health.
(d) Physical attractiveness.

2. In "A Speech to the Graduates," what item does Sedaris tells students to not bother buying unless they can afford one of two specific brands?
(a) Stationery.
(b) Caviar.
(c) Scented candles.
(d) Running shoes.

3. In "Bruised," what aspect of his identity makes Sedaris afraid that people will not believe him if Olivier tells lies about his behavior?
(a) His gender.
(b) His nationality.
(c) His profession.
(d) His sexual orientation.

4. In "A Better Place," what is Sedaris implying when he comments about the long lives of Dick Cheney, Henry Kissinger, and Rupert Murdoch?
(a) They are bad people.
(b) They are very religious.
(c) They are wealthy.
(d) They have worked hard.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. In "Themes and Variations," what is the Jewish man selling in the joke Sedaris is told by one of his drivers?

2. On page 151 of "The Vacuum," what phrase does Sedaris say he resents having survived the pandemic?

3. In "Hurricane Season," how does Sedaris characterize the difference between his own anger and Hugh's?

4. In "Bruised," what word does Sedaris keep repeating as he tries to fend off Olivier's advances?

5. 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?

(see the answer key)

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