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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In "Smile, Beautiful," what example of prejudice related to the appearance of his teeth does Sedaris give?
(a) Employees in upscale hotels and boutiques do not seem to think he is wealthy enough to be a patron.
(b) Other patrons sometimes move tables in restaurants so that they are not sitting where they can see him eating.
(c) People often make unsolicited comments about his teeth when he is out walking in New York.
(d) Magazine photographers generally ask him to keep his mouth closed during publicity shoots.

2. 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 does not give enough money to the church.
(c) He has not been to church in twenty years.
(d) He no longer believes in God.

3. According to "Lady Marmalade," what was unusual about the way Lou usually dressed at home?
(a) He wore his winter coat indoors.
(b) He wore the same dirty t-shirt for weeks.
(c) He liked to wear their mother's robe.
(d) He often did not wear pants.

4. In "Lucky-Go-Happy," why does the desk clerk at one hotel refuse to believe that the shirt Sedaris left behind belongs to him?
(a) Its style strikes the clerk as feminine.
(b) It is in a size much larger than Sedaris would wear.
(c) The shirt has someone else's name sewn into it.
(d) Sedaris cannot clearly describe it.

5. In "Pearls," what does Sedaris tell the woman in Sussex about Hugh?
(a) He is blind.
(b) He is an astrologer.
(c) He is a right-to-life advocate.
(d) He is 20 years old.

6. In "Lucky-Go-Happy," why does Sedaris spend months thinking about a show he did in Vancouver?
(a) The box office attendant is very rude to Sedaris.
(b) A man carrying a gun is stopped at the theater door.
(c) A celebrity that Sedaris has seen on television attends this performance.
(d) It is the last show before the pandemic temporarily halts his touring.

7. 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.

8. In "Pussytoes," what does Sedaris say he wants for his own casket, someday?
(a) A casket shaped like a hardcover book.
(b) A publisher's shipping box.
(c) A gold casket lined with red satin.
(d) A pine box painted by Hugh.

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

10. On page 151 of "The Vacuum," what phrase does Sedaris say he resents having survived the pandemic?
(a) "Welcome in."
(b) "No problem."
(c) "Have a blessed day."
(d) "Howdy do."

11. In "Happy-Go-Lucky," what is Sedaris stunned to hear Lou admit to being wrong about?
(a) Writing.
(b) Trump.
(c) Painting.
(d) Hoarding.

12. In "Fresh-Caught Haddock," what concern does Sedaris express about the looting in New York?
(a) Black businesses will be disproportionately targeted.
(b) Protesters will face police violence.
(c) Owners will raise prices to cover their losses.
(d) His favorite stores will be looted.

13. In "Lucky-Go-Happy," what does Sedaris assume is true about the "slightly disheveled" front desk clerk (251)?
(a) She has been sleeping on the job.
(b) She is feeling unwell.
(c) She is trying to do multiple jobs at the same time.
(d) She is struggling with personal issues.

14. In "Fresh-Caught Haddock," why is wearing a mask at the protest a relief to Sedaris?
(a) He does not have to monitor his own facial expressions.
(b) He worries about being recognized by the media.
(c) He has grown paranoid about catching Covid.
(d) People cannot see that he is not chanting along.

15. In "A Better Place," what feature of the restaurant does Sedaris repeatedly complain about?
(a) The food.
(b) The service.
(c) The prices.
(d) The atmosphere.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "Lucky-Go-Happy," what nickname does Sedaris say he has given Hugh?

2. In "A Better Place," what does Sedaris suggest would be true about Lou, if there were, in fact, an afterlife?

3. In "A Better Place," what specific rhetorical technique does Sedaris complain about?

4. In "Lucky-Go-Happy," what does Sedaris see on the floor at Charlotte Douglas International Airport?

5. In "Lady Marmalade," what new role does Lou take on once all of his children have moved out?

(see the answer keys)

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