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

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

3. In "Lady Marmalade," what does Sedaris imply that Tiffany stole from her siblings?
(a) Prescription drugs.
(b) Jewelry.
(c) Cash.
(d) Alcohol.

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

5. Where does the title of the essay "Lady Marmalade" come from?
(a) A song that was popular when Sedaris's parents took him and Gretchen to New Orleans.
(b) A nickname that Sedaris gave his sister Tiffany because of her breakfast habits.
(c) A pen name that Amy used when she wrote short stories and plays in high school.
(d) A painting that Lou did of Lisa when she was a teenager.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "Smile, Beautiful," whose life history inspires Sedaris's offer to the fan he meets at his Reno book signing?

2. In "The Vacuum," what does Sedaris say he has learned through experience never to do on the streets of New York?

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

4. In "Happy-Go-Lucky," how old does Lou claim to be?

5. In "Smile, Beautiful," how long does Sedaris have to wear his braces?

Short Essay Questions

1. What sentiment does Sedaris close the essay "The Vacuum" with, and what example does he give?

2. 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?

3. In "Lucky-Go-Happy," what rhetorical purpose unites Sedaris's choice to talk about varying face mask usage, fireworks stores, and gun sightings?

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

5. In "Happy-Go-Lucky," why does Sedaris think that his father is losing his hearing?

6. When describing protests in "Fresh-Caught Haddock," what two examples of White participants' vandalism does Sedaris give, and how do Black bystanders react?

7. 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?

8. In "Pearls," how does the purchase of the second apartment illustrate one of Sedaris's main ideas about successful relationships?

9. What literal and figurative meanings does Sedaris convey with the title "Pearls"?

10. In "Smile, Beautiful," what does Sedaris share about the conditions under which he can be generous?

(see the answer keys)

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