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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. Where did Sedaris once unexpectedly find a gun?
(a) In a desk drawer.
(b) Under a bed.
(c) In a pantry.
(d) In a medicine cabinet.

3. In "To Serbia with Love," what do the problems Sedaris lists with potential travel companions have in common?
(a) They involve choosing active experiences with nature over cultural engagement.
(b) They involve sacrificing convenience for a cheaper price.
(c) They involve overscheduling time at the expense of real relaxation.
(d) They involve choosing variety over depth of experience.

4. What is Hugh and Sedaris's house on Emerald Isle called?
(a) Sea Section.
(b) XtaSea.
(c) Afterdune Delight.
(d) Tip Sea.

5. In "A Speech to the Graduates," what is Sedaris's purpose in mentioning the speaker at his own graduation?
(a) He hopes to impress his audience with his own experiences.
(b) He means to contrast his own speech with that speaker's remarks.
(c) He intends to charm his audience with his humility.
(d) He is introducing a theme he will expand on in his own remarks.

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

7. What do Harrison and Austen prefer to spend their time doing?
(a) Playing Nintendo Switch games.
(b) Watching TikTok and YouTube videos.
(c) Scrolling through social media.
(d) Watching cartoons on television.

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

9. In what state are Sedaris and his sister in "Active Shooter"?
(a) Connecticut.
(b) North Carolina.
(c) Florida.
(d) Virginia.

10. In "To Serbia with Love," what smell does Sedaris complain is omnipresent during his travels in Eastern Europe?
(a) Burning coal.
(b) Animal manure.
(c) Cigarette smoke.
(d) Garbage.

11. In "Highfalutin," whose poor behavior with service staff does Sedaris say inspired him to be extra warm and friendly?
(a) Sharon's.
(b) Lou's.
(c) Amy's.
(d) Hugh's.

12. In "Hurricane Season," where does Sedaris get the idea for the name he wants to call the rental house?
(a) From one of his own essays.
(b) From a movie.
(c) At the grocery store.
(d) At the hardware store.

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

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

15. 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 tease Hugh about the name of the rental house.
(c) They agree with a renter about the dilapidated condition of some chairs.
(d) They tell him that they think the fish is overcooked.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "Themes and Variations," what location does Sedaris immediately think of when he is looking for a place to give away the first $50?

2. In "Hurricane Season," what comment does Sedaris make about the names of hurricanes?

3. In "Unbuttoned," which of Sedaris's siblings says that Lou is their best friend?

4. In "Hurricane Season," what does Sedaris recall Hugh yelling at Lisa for one Christmas in Sussex?

5. In "Highfalutin," what feature that he and Amy share embarrasses Sedaris at lunch?

(see the answer keys)

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