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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. 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."

3. In "Lucky-Go-Happy," what does Sedaris find disappointing about his Zoom event?
(a) He finds the technology alienating and unreliable.
(b) He develops a migraine from focusing on the screen.
(c) He misses the live audience feedback.
(d) He is distracted by seeing video of himself talking.

4. In "Pearls," what age does Sedaris say is the official start of old age?
(a) 50.
(b) 60.
(c) 45.
(d) 55.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. In "The Vacuum," what is Sedaris's first thought when he hears a man shouting "Look at the fucking clown!" (147)?

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

3. In "A Better Place," what feature of the restaurant does Sedaris repeatedly complain about?

4. In "The Vacuum," what does Sedaris buy at the gourmet store Eataly that he later feels he has to defend to Hugh?

5. In "The Vacuum," which standing appointment is Amy reluctant to move online?

Short Essay Questions

1. In "Lucky-Go-Happy," what does Sedaris say about using Hugh as a test audience for his writing?

2. In "Lady Marmalade," what reasons do the Sedaris siblings have for being skeptical of Tiffany's claims that Lou sexually abused her?

3. In "A Better Place," what is Sedaris's response to the idea that his father "did his best" (193)?

4. In "Happy-Go-Lucky," what do the changes in Lou suggest to Sedaris might be true in his own life?

5. In "A Better Place," what are Sedaris's practical objections to the idea that deceased loved ones look down on us from heaven?

6. In "The Vacuum," what activities does Sedaris describe filling his days with while he is waiting until he can go out and walk at night?

7. In "The Vacuum," what kind of language does Sedaris complain about people using to describe the pandemic, and what are some examples of this language?

8. In "Lady Marmalade," what conclusion does Sedaris draw about Lou's motivations for his behavior toward his children's bodies?

9. In "Pussytoes," what happens when Sedaris calls Gretchen about their father's death?

10. In "A Better Place," what is the rhetorical purpose of describing Lou's grave site in such detail?

(see the answer keys)

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