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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

3. In "Hurricane Season," what objection do Sedaris and his sister have to the name Hugh has chosen for the rental house?
(a) They do not really understand it.
(b) A nearby house has the same name.
(c) It is boring.
(d) It is offensive.

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

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

7. What does the Bushmaster ad that Sedaris sees explicitly associate guns with?
(a) Masculinity.
(b) Romance.
(c) Freedom.
(d) Safety.

8. Where does Sedaris see Olivier working when Oliver is about 20 years old?
(a) On a landscaping crew.
(b) At the hypermarket.
(c) In a clothing boutique.
(d) At the local college.

9. In "Themes and Variations," what singer does Sedaris tell a joke about?
(a) Merle Haggard.
(b) Willie Nelson.
(c) Hank Williams.
(d) Waylon Jennings.

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

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

12. In "Bruised," what does Sedaris criticize as lacking charm?
(a) Hypermarkets.
(b) The English language.
(c) Modern highways.
(d) Big cities.

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

14. 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?
(a) They are a warning about the instability of non-traditional career choices.
(b) They illustrate his point that the post-college years can be the best years of a person's life.
(c) They demonstrate that gifted artists generally succeed quickly.
(d) They are examples of artistic career choices that contrast with safer career choices.

15. What comedian also named "David" do the nurses confuse Sedaris with in "Father Time"?
(a) Letterman.
(b) Spade.
(c) Cross.
(d) Chappelle.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "Themes and Variations," what is the Jewish man selling in the joke Sedaris is told by one of his drivers?

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

3. In "Unbuttoned," what word does Sedaris point out is one that Lou habitually uses to describe others?

4. What is Hugh and Sedaris's house on Emerald Isle called?

5. Which word best captures Sedaris's depiction of Eastern European decor in "To Serbia with Love"?

(see the answer keys)

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