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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In "Father Time," what does Sedaris say was the hardest part of Lou's hospitalization for the siblings?
(a) Seeing their father in pain.
(b) Seeing their father's confusion.
(c) Making time to be at the hospital.
(d) Paying the hospital bills.

2. In "Highfalutin," what does Amy describe cutting up while under the influence of psychedelics?
(a) Carpet.
(b) Clothing.
(c) Bills.
(d) Scripts.

3. In "Father Time," what does Sedaris say he was primarily interested in when he was Austen's and Harrison's age?
(a) Nature.
(b) Puzzles.
(c) Sports.
(d) Reading.

4. In "Hurricane Season," what amenity does Sedaris say is irritating for next-door-neighbors?
(a) A barbecue pit.
(b) A motor boat.
(c) A pool.
(d) A trampoline.

5. When Sedaris and his sister go to the gun range, what does he learn about for the first time?
(a) Gun purses.
(b) Trigger locks.
(c) Gun hoarders.
(d) Gun safes.

6. In "Themes and Variations," who helps Sedaris choose a person to give money to at the public library?
(a) The security guard.
(b) A community college student.
(c) A mother and child.
(d) The reference librarian.

7. In "A Speech to the Graduates," what does Sedaris mention having purchased at Sotheby's?
(a) A Ming-Dynasty vase.
(b) A first-edition copy of Tom Sawyer.
(c) A Picasso painting.
(d) A Piguet watch.

8. In "Highfalutin," how does Sedaris contrast Amy's perspective with his own?
(a) She lives in the moment, while he does not.
(b) She is empathetic, while he is not.
(c) She is self-centered, while he is not.
(d) She takes the long view, while he does not.

9. In "Unbuttoned," which of Sedaris's siblings says that Lou is their best friend?
(a) Paul.
(b) Gretchen.
(c) Amy.
(d) Lisa.

10. In "Unbuttoned," what do the Sedaris siblings see out the window at Lou's house?
(a) A lightning strike.
(b) A drone.
(c) A doe.
(d) A naked woman.

11. 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.

12. What family event are the Sedarises anticipating when Lou first falls and has to be hospitalized?
(a) Lisa and Bob's fortieth wedding anniversary.
(b) A family vacation to the seaside.
(c) Lou's 95th birthday.
(d) Gretchen's retirement party.

13. In "Unbuttoned," what two items does Sedaris take from his father's house?
(a) A shirt and a beret.
(b) A vase and a photograph.
(c) An ashtray and a cigarette case.
(d) A book and a kitchen knife.

14. In "Bruised," about how many people live in the village where the farmhouse is located?
(a) 15,000.
(b) 1,500.
(c) 50.
(d) 500.

15. In "Highfalutin," what feature that he and Amy share embarrasses Sedaris at lunch?
(a) Dental problems.
(b) Sagging skin.
(c) Poor posture.
(d) Thinning hair.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "Bruised," what aspect of his identity makes Sedaris afraid that people will not believe him if Olivier tells lies about his behavior?

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

3. In "Bruised," what word does Sedaris use to describe Hugh's farmhouse?

4. In "Themes and Variations," what does Sedaris compare the main branch of the Chicago Public Library to?

5. What is ironic about Lisa turning out to be the better shooter?

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