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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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) Shopping and laughing with his sister Amy.
(d) Eating ice cream while watching a documentary about Jim Jones.

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

3. In "Hurricane Season," what amenity does Sedaris say is irritating for next-door-neighbors?
(a) A pool.
(b) A barbecue pit.
(c) A trampoline.
(d) A motor boat.

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

5. In "Hurricane Season," what do Hugh and Sedaris discover about Sea Section's second-floor ceilings?
(a) They will have to be replaced without central air ducts.
(b) Because of new building codes, they will be very expensive to replace.
(c) Rats were living in them before the hurricane.
(d) They were likely weakened by termites before the hurricane even hit.

6. In "Hurricane Season," what does Sedaris recall Hugh yelling at Lisa for one Christmas in Sussex?
(a) She set a drink down without a coaster.
(b) She wiped her hands on her jeans instead of on a towel.
(c) She drank gin straight from the bottle.
(d) She wore a coat to the dinner table.

7. In "Unbuttoned," what word does Sedaris point out is one that Lou habitually uses to describe others?
(a) Weakling.
(b) Bum.
(c) Weasel.
(d) Freak.

8. In "Unbuttoned," what does Sedaris take away from the story about Russ Baker's mother?
(a) Everyone has issues with their parents, not just him.
(b) You cannot always take literally the things people say when they are suffering.
(c) It is futile to desperately pursue approval from a specific person.
(d) It is important to mend relationships while you still have the opportunity.

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

10. In "Unbuttoned," which of Sedaris's siblings says that Lou is their best friend?
(a) Paul.
(b) Gretchen.
(c) Lisa.
(d) Amy.

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

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

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

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. In "A Speech to the Graduates," what is Sedaris's purpose in mentioning the speaker at his own graduation?

2. What comedian also named "David" do the nurses confuse Sedaris with in "Father Time"?

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

4. What do Sedaris and his sister agree the gun range would be an ideal location for?

5. What does the Bushmaster ad that Sedaris sees explicitly associate guns with?

(see the answer keys)

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