View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In "Bruised," what does Clotilde occupy herself with on most days?
(a) Playing with dominoes.
(b) Learning to bake.
(c) Collecting mushrooms and berries.
(d) Swimming in the river.

2. In "Unbuttoned," what item of Sedaris's does he find in his father's room at Springmoor?
(a) His childhood guitar.
(b) A picture he painted in high school.
(c) A photo album.
(d) His latest book of essays.

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

4. In "Themes and Variations," what two topics does Sedaris note seem to overlap in many jokes?
(a) Religion and sex.
(b) Sex and misogyny.
(c) Misogyny and politics.
(d) Politics and religion.

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

6. In "Unbuttoned," what does Sedaris notice on the floor of his father's house?
(a) A dead mouse.
(b) A cat skeleton.
(c) A pool of blood.
(d) Feces.

7. 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 takes the long view, while he does not.
(d) She is self-centered, while he is not.

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

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

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

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

12. Which word best captures Sedaris's depiction of Eastern European decor in "To Serbia with Love"?
(a) Gaudy.
(b) Elegant.
(c) Utilitarian.
(d) Cozy.

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

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Sedaris feel when Harrison tells him that he has never heard of Sedaris's books?

2. What does Lisa think she knows more about than other people?

3. In "Hurricane Season," what do Hugh and Sedaris discover about Sea Section's second-floor ceilings?

4. Where is Sedaris in the opening of the essay "Unbuttoned"?

5. In "To Serbia with Love," what nationality is Milos?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 556 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample