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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 item does Sedaris tells students to not bother buying unless they can afford one of two specific brands?
(a) Stationery.
(b) Caviar.
(c) Scented candles.
(d) Running shoes.

2. In "Bruised," what word does Sedaris keep repeating as he tries to fend off Olivier's advances?
(a) Bruise.
(b) Grandmother.
(c) Unhappy.
(d) Grown-up.

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

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

5. 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 overscheduling time at the expense of real relaxation.
(c) They involve choosing variety over depth of experience.
(d) They involve sacrificing convenience for a cheaper price.

6. In "A Speech to the Graduates," what advice is Sedaris defending with his example of a grandmother who gives a grandchild a graduation gift?
(a) People should be grateful for small gestures.
(b) People should take better care of their elders.
(c) People should treasure their families.
(d) People should write thank-you letters.

7. Where were Sedaris's friends living when the man drove a vehicle into their home?
(a) At an airport.
(b) At a marina.
(c) In a national park.
(d) In a converted church.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

15. 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) Eating ice cream while watching a documentary about Jim Jones.
(c) Sitting on the deck of Sea Section with Hugh, watching the ocean.
(d) Shopping and laughing with his sister Amy.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "To Serbia with Love," what is one of the main things that Sedaris explicitly says Westerners have that people from Eastern Europe lack?

2. In "Themes and Variations," who helps Sedaris choose a person to give money to at the public library?

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

4. In "To Serbia with Love," what is Patsy's job in Paris?

5. In "To Serbia with Love," what irritates Sedaris about his driver in Lisbon?

(see the answer keys)

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