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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In "Themes and Variations," what is Sedaris's tone as he discusses the excuses men give when they arrive in the ER with objects lodged in their rectums?
(a) Sarcastic.
(b) Disgusted.
(c) Sympathetic.
(d) Pitying.

2. In "Hurricane Season," what motivates Hugh to lock Gretchen and Sedaris out of the house?
(a) They imitate the pinching motions of crabs, implying that Hugh is being unreasonable.
(b) They agree with a renter about the dilapidated condition of some chairs.
(c) They tell him that they think the fish is overcooked.
(d) They tease Hugh about the name of the rental house.

3. In "Hurricane Season," what do Hugh and Sedaris discover about Sea Section's second-floor ceilings?
(a) Because of new building codes, they will be very expensive to replace.
(b) They were likely weakened by termites before the hurricane even hit.
(c) Rats were living in them before the hurricane.
(d) They will have to be replaced without central air ducts.

4. In "Bruised," how old is Olivier?
(a) 16.
(b) 10.
(c) 14.
(d) 12.

5. In "Highfalutin," where have Sedaris and Hugh moved just before the lunch with Amy takes place?
(a) Normandy.
(b) North Carolina.
(c) New York.
(d) Sussex.

6. In "Highfalutin," what does Sedaris ultimately decide his idea of perfect happiness is?
(a) Shopping and laughing with his sister Amy.
(b) Taking a long bath at a great hotel before giving a reading.
(c) Eating ice cream while watching a documentary about Jim Jones.
(d) Sitting on the deck of Sea Section with Hugh, watching the ocean.

7. In "A Speech to the Graduates," what is the purpose of the charity that Sedaris mentions working with?
(a) Soliciting bone marrow donors.
(b) Protecting endangered species.
(c) Advocating for voting rights.
(d) Providing eye care to developing countries.

8. In "To Serbia with Love," what is Patsy's job in Paris?
(a) Interior decorator.
(b) Tour guide.
(c) Museum curator.
(d) Personal shopper.

9. In "To Serbia with Love," what nationality is Milos?
(a) Serbian.
(b) Romanian.
(c) Polish.
(d) Ukranian.

10. Who ends up cleaning most of Lou's blood up after the clock falls on him?
(a) Lisa.
(b) Bob.
(c) Kathy.
(d) Hugh.

11. In "Hurricane Season," what information does Gretchen habitually irritate Sedaris with?
(a) She tells him her theories about what her dreams mean.
(b) She tells him things Hugh has said behind his back.
(c) She tells him about online criticism of him.
(d) She tells him about her past sexual experiences.

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

13. 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) Running shoes.
(b) Scented candles.
(c) Caviar.
(d) Stationery.

14. In "To Serbia with Love," what is one of the main things that Sedaris explicitly says Westerners have that people from Eastern Europe lack?
(a) Hope.
(b) Security.
(c) Freedom.
(d) Wealth.

15. How is the term "highfalutin" introduced into the essay "Highfalutin"?
(a) Sedaris claims that this is what Hugh first wanted to call the Pink House.
(b) Tiffany calls Amy and Sedaris this when they are shopping together.
(c) This is what Sedaris and his sister Amy called their play production company.
(d) Sedaris suggests it as a name for a medication.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "To Serbia with Love," what smell does Sedaris complain is omnipresent during his travels in Eastern Europe?

2. In "Themes and Variations," how does Sedaris meet Mary?

3. In "To Serbia with Love," what nationality does Sedaris say is blamed for much of the crime in Europe?

4. In "Unbuttoned," what do the Sedaris siblings see out the window at Lou's house?

5. In "A Speech to the Graduates," what do the joke about the police stopping a car and the farcical benefit Sedaris promises for participating in his charity event have in common?

(see the answer keys)

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