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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 is Sedaris's first thought when he hears a man shouting "Look at the fucking clown!" (147)?
(a) He thinks the man is having a hallucination.
(b) He thinks the man might attack him.
(c) He thinks the man is insulting his outfit.
(d) He thinks the man is criticizing his writing.

2. In "Pussytoes," which sibling ends up making the bulk of the arrangements after Lou's death?
(a) Gretchen.
(b) Paul.
(c) Amy.
(d) Lisa.

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

4. In "The Vacuum," what does Sedaris say is the only thing he was able to successfully hoard?
(a) Licorice Allsorts.
(b) One-ply toilet paper.
(c) Designer hand sanitizers.
(d) Ground water buffalo.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. In "Pearls," what does Sedaris tell the woman in Sussex about Hugh?

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

3. According to "Lady Marmalade," what was unusual about the way Lou usually dressed at home?

4. In "Lady Marmalade," what did Lou suggest Sedaris's childhood stomach pains were caused by?

5. In "Lucky-Go-Happy," why does Sedaris spend months thinking about a show he did in Vancouver?

Short Essay Questions

1. In "Happy-Go-Lucky," what is the rhetorical function of Sedaris's comment that his father used to watch at lot of Fox News?

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

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

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

5. In "Lady Marmalade," what anecdote does Sedaris share about his father's photography and his sister Lisa?

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

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

8. In "Fresh-Caught Haddock," what does a Jewish acquaintance point out to Sedaris about his proposed solutions for Confederate monuments?

9. 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?

10. 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?

(see the answer keys)

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