View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What most bothers Sedaris about the phrases he discusses in "A Better Place" ?
(a) They are hypocritical.
(b) They are empty of meaning.
(c) They are obvious lies.
(d) They are self-serving.

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

3. In "Pussytoes," what does Lou tell the president of Princeton University?
(a) Amy is a better speaker than Sedaris.
(b) He finds it hard to believe the graduates will know who Sedaris is.
(c) There is no way Sedaris could have gotten into Princeton.
(d) Gretchen is a better artist than Sedaris.

4. 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 very religious.
(b) They are bad people.
(c) They are wealthy.
(d) They have worked hard.

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

6. In "Pearls," what does Sedaris call the "first step to divorce" (156)?
(a) A lack of shared interests.
(b) Counseling.
(c) Silence.
(d) Separate bedrooms.

7. In "Lady Marmalade," what is the name of the reform school that Tiffany was sent to?
(a) The Élan School.
(b) Running Springs School.
(c) Provo Canyon School.
(d) The Oakley School.

8. 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) It is the last show before the pandemic temporarily halts his touring.
(c) A man carrying a gun is stopped at the theater door.
(d) A celebrity that Sedaris has seen on television attends this performance.

9. 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) People often make unsolicited comments about his teeth when he is out walking in New York.
(c) Other patrons sometimes move tables in restaurants so that they are not sitting where they can see him eating.
(d) Magazine photographers generally ask him to keep his mouth closed during publicity shoots.

10. In "Pussytoes," where do the siblings stay together on the night before Lou's funeral?
(a) A hotel.
(b) Lou's old house.
(c) Paul's house in Raleigh.
(d) Sea Section.

11. In "A Better Place," what objection does Sedaris make to people saying that his father did his best?
(a) Very few people actually do their best.
(b) His father was neglectful and uninterested.
(c) His father was an abusive alcoholic.
(d) Results matter as much as intentions.

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

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

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

15. In "Pearls," what instrument does Hugh take up?
(a) Violin.
(b) Piano.
(c) Oboe.
(d) Guitar.

Short Answer Questions

1. On page 238 of "Pussytoes," how does Sedaris say people refer to "a massively difficult person" once they get old?

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

3. In "Fresh-Caught Haddock," what does the young woman in Union Square try to give Sedaris?

4. In "Lucky-Go-Happy," what does Sedaris assume is true about the "slightly disheveled" front desk clerk (251)?

5. In "Lucky-Go-Happy," what does Sedaris notice everywhere once he starts touring again?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 667 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample