View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where is Sedaris in the opening of the essay "Unbuttoned"?
(a) A hospital in Paris.
(b) Sea Section.
(c) Springmoor.
(d) His father's old house.

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

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

4. In "Themes and Variations," what location does Sedaris immediately think of when he is looking for a place to give away the first $50?
(a) A public park.
(b) The bus station.
(c) Subway.
(d) McDonald's.

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

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

7. In "Themes and Variations," what is Sedaris's tone as he discusses the excuses men give when they arrive in the ER with objects lodged in their rectums?
(a) Sarcastic.
(b) Disgusted.
(c) Pitying.
(d) Sympathetic.

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

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

10. In "Unbuttoned," what question does Lou ask his children?
(a) Whether he is real to them.
(b) Whether they forgive him.
(c) Whether they miss their mother.
(d) Whether he is going to die.

11. How does Sedaris feel when Harrison tells him that he has never heard of Sedaris's books?
(a) Superior.
(b) Indignant.
(c) Hurt.
(d) Amused.

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

13. What does Lisa think she knows more about than other people?
(a) How to care for animals.
(b) How to defend herself.
(c) How to drive a car.
(d) How to run a classroom.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. In "Unbuttoned," what do the Sedaris siblings see out the window at Lou's house?

2. In "Unbuttoned," what does Sedaris notice on the floor of his father's house?

3. In "A Speech to the Graduates," what is the purpose of the charity that Sedaris mentions working with?

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

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 587 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample