View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In "Happy-Go-Lucky," what is the subject of the Delacroix painting that hangs over Lou's bed?
(a) A Paris street scene.
(b) Women cutting wheat.
(c) A Spanish bullfight.
(d) A field of sunflowers.

2. In "Smile, Beautiful," what does a woman at a book signing tell Sedaris that brings him close to tears?
(a) He has inspired her to get her teeth fixed.
(b) He reminds her that looks do not matter.
(c) He has a beautiful smile.
(d) His book changed her life.

3. In "Fresh-Caught Haddock," what does Sedaris imply is true about attempts to point out various forms of racism in America?
(a) They are attempts to appeal to Black voters.
(b) They are an example of the breakdown of American values.
(c) They are often met with deliberate misunderstanding.
(d) They go too far and target harmless people.

4. In "Lady Marmalade," what new role does Lou take on once all of his children have moved out?
(a) Neighborhood watch.
(b) Accountant.
(c) Photographer.
(d) Landlord.

5. On page 194 of "A Better Place," what does Sedaris object to someone saying to describe Prince dying?
(a) "Slept."
(b) "Went home."
(c) "Transitioned."
(d) "Found peace."

6. In "A Better Place," what is Sedaris implying when he comments about the long lives of Dick Cheney, Henry Kissinger, and Rupert Murdoch?
(a) They are bad people.
(b) They are very religious.
(c) They are wealthy.
(d) They have worked hard.

7. In "Pussytoes," what item from Lou's house does Gretchen give Sedaris?
(a) A black address book.
(b) A souvenir corncob pipe.
(c) A photograph of their mother.
(d) A refrigerator magnet.

8. In "Happy-Go-Lucky," how does Sedaris characterize continuing media coverage of the Covid pandemic?
(a) It is unrealistically optimistic.
(b) It is needlessly alarmist.
(c) It causes divisions among Americans.
(d) It fails to deliver important information.

9. In "Happy-Go-Lucky," what reason does Lou give for the priest disliking him?
(a) He uses language that the priest finds vulgar.
(b) He has not been to church in twenty years.
(c) He does not give enough money to the church.
(d) He no longer believes in God.

10. In "Fresh-Caught Haddock," what is Amy's implied motivation for wanting to take a trip to Emerald Isle?
(a) She is worried that they have not been to see Lou in several months.
(b) She wants to get away from the pandemic response in New York.
(c) She feels unsafe in New York during the protests.
(d) She misses her other siblings and wants to visit them.

11. In "Pussytoes," what does Amy claim women's bathrooms smell like?
(a) Feces.
(b) Mildew.
(c) Vomit.
(d) Perfume.

12. In "Happy-Go-Lucky," what is Sedaris relieved that his father does not remember accurately?
(a) The real circumstances under which he got the guitar.
(b) How much of their family's laughter was directed at him.
(c) The negative things Sedaris has written about him.
(d) Their mother's illness and death.

13. In "Pearls," what does Amy's astrologer predict?
(a) An earthquake.
(b) Amy's relationship breakup.
(c) Brexit.
(d) Biden's election.

14. In "The Vacuum," what task does Sedaris find himself performing for other shoppers?
(a) Opening the door.
(b) Locating stock.
(c) Bagging groceries.
(d) Sanitizing sales terminals.

15. Where does the title of the essay "Lady Marmalade" come from?
(a) A pen name that Amy used when she wrote short stories and plays in high school.
(b) A nickname that Sedaris gave his sister Tiffany because of her breakfast habits.
(c) A song that was popular when Sedaris's parents took him and Gretchen to New Orleans.
(d) A painting that Lou did of Lisa when she was a teenager.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "Smile, Beautiful," whose life history inspires Sedaris's offer to the fan he meets at his Reno book signing?

2. In "Fresh-Caught Haddock," what does Sedaris metaphorically compare the BLM protests to?

3. In "Lady Marmalade," what did Lou want to show the family when he unbuttoned Lisa's shirt at dinner?

4. In "Lucky-Go-Happy," when is Sedaris finally able to go back to touring?

5. In "Pearls," what was the subject of the Ladies' Home Journal column that Sedaris liked?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 654 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample