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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. In "The Vacuum," which standing appointment is Amy reluctant to move online?
(a) Massage.
(b) Acupuncture.
(c) Therapy.
(d) Pilates instruction.

3. In "A Better Place," what specific rhetorical technique does Sedaris complain about?
(a) Euphemism.
(b) Hyperbole.
(c) Understatement.
(d) Oxymoron.

4. In "A Better Place," what does Sedaris suggest would be true about Lou, if there were, in fact, an afterlife?
(a) Lou would be in hell.
(b) Lou would be trying to boss God around.
(c) Lou would finally learn to play the guitar.
(d) Lou would still be making fun of him.

5. In "Smile, Beautiful," what point is Sedaris trying to convey with the example of the woman whose face was injured by an animal bite?
(a) People with serious facial injuries should be pleased to be able to hide their injuries behind a mask.
(b) People can be proud of themselves and like their own appearance regardless of whether it is typical.
(c) The language used to describe atypical facial characteristics contributes to discrimination.
(d) There is something strange about people who refuse to take advantage of medical interventions to fix serious facial injuries.

6. In "Happy-Go-Lucky," what role does Sedaris say Hugh ends up playing when they visit Springmoor?
(a) Servant.
(b) Secretary.
(c) Nurse.
(d) Mediator.

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

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

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

10. In the beginning of "Fresh-Caught Haddock," where are Sedaris, Amy, and Hugh as they listen to the sounds of the protest?
(a) On the terrace of one of Hugh and Sedaris's apartments.
(b) In a restaurant bordering Central Park.
(c) In an upscale boutique on Fifth Avenue.
(d) In the kitchen of one of Amy's apartments.

11. In "Smile, Beautiful," what does Sedaris say is his "only certified phobia" (215)?
(a) Going to the dentist.
(b) Seeing himself in pictures.
(c) Smelling his own breath.
(d) Looking at his open mouth.

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

13. In "Smile, Beautiful," how long does Sedaris have to wear his braces?
(a) 7 months.
(b) 14 weeks.
(c) 7 weeks.
(d) 14 months.

14. In "The Vacuum," what does Sedaris say he sees more of on the streets of New York during the pandemic?
(a) Needles.
(b) Pigeons.
(c) Rats.
(d) Garbage.

15. In "Lady Marmalade," what did Lou want to show the family when he unbuttoned Lisa's shirt at dinner?
(a) Her birthmark.
(b) A tattoo.
(c) A bruise.
(d) Her bra.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "Pussytoes," what item from Lou's house does Gretchen give Sedaris?

2. In "A Better Place," what objection does Sedaris make to people saying that his father did his best?

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

4. In "Lady Marmalade," what does Sedaris say about Lou's physical aggression towards him and his siblings?

5. In "Smile, Beautiful," what does a woman at a book signing tell Sedaris that brings him close to tears?

(see the answer keys)

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