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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In "To Serbia with Love," during what time of year do Sedaris and Patsy travel together?
(a) April.
(b) August.
(c) December.
(d) June.

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

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

4. In "Hurricane Season," how does Sedaris characterize the difference between his own anger and Hugh's?
(a) His anger is justified; Hugh's anger is arbitrary.
(b) His anger is personal; Hugh's anger is generalized.
(c) His anger is sarcastic; Hugh's anger is aggressive.
(d) His anger is fleeting; Hugh's anger is long-lasting.

5. In "Highfalutin," what does Sedaris say is the "saddest development in New York" in the last few decades (82)?
(a) The advent of online retail.
(b) The decrease in tourism.
(c) The increase in homelessness.
(d) The cleanup of the Time Square area.

6. In "To Serbia with Love," what does Sedaris learn "Belgrade" means?
(a) Small Castle.
(b) City of Joy.
(c) Spring of Water.
(d) White City.

7. In "To Serbia with Love," what nationality does Sedaris say is blamed for much of the crime in Europe?
(a) Romanian.
(b) Croatian.
(c) Greek.
(d) Albanian.

8. In "Highfalutin," who are Lex and Germalina?
(a) They are characters in a play produced by the Talent Family.
(b) They are nicknames that Sedaris and his siblings gave their parents.
(c) They are names Sedaris and his sister Amy used in a childhood game.
(d) They are rabbits owned by Amy Sedaris.

9. What name does the gun-safety instructor keep calling Sedaris?
(a) Lonnie.
(b) Mike.
(c) Tom.
(d) Randy.

10. In "Bruised," what word does Sedaris use to describe Hugh's farmhouse?
(a) Stable.
(b) Kennel.
(c) Hovel.
(d) Shack.

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

12. In "To Serbia with Love," what irritates Sedaris about his driver in Lisbon?
(a) He refuses to keep his eyes on the road when he is talking.
(b) He keeps stopping to describe historical and cultural attractions.
(c) His English is too fractured to understand.
(d) His lack of map reading skills gets them lost several times.

13. In "Highfalutin," what is Sedaris insulted at being mistaken for?
(a) A dentist.
(b) A sales clerk.
(c) A real estate agent.
(d) An architect.

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

15. In "Father Time," what does Sedaris say is "unbearable" in children (26)?
(a) Whining.
(b) Apathy.
(c) Insolence.
(d) Sulking.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "A Speech to the Graduates," what does Sedaris mention having purchased at Sotheby's?

2. In "Highfalutin," to what does Sedaris attribute Hugh agreeing to paint Amy's new apartment?

3. In "Highfalutin," what does Sedaris ultimately decide his idea of perfect happiness is?

4. 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?

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

(see the answer keys)

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