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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the name of the town the Dunbar's live in?

2. One afternoon they set a record at SantaLand by getting _______ people through in one hour.

3. Where did Sedaris apply for a job the day before seeing the SanatLand ad?

4. How long was Clifford Dunbar married the first time?

5. Where does Sedaris picture Socrates helping after he loses his memory?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Sedaris come to realize as increasing numbers of customers go through the line at Piccadilly cafeteria?

2. What does the middle-aged Sedaris dream of doing?

3. What happens the day that Jocelyn asks Khe Sahn to watch baby Don?

4. What is the best experience that Sedaris has while working at SantaLand?

5. What happens while the Sedaris family is eating dinner to celebrate Lisa's eighteenth birthday?

6. What are Jocelyn Dunbar's complaints about Khe Sahn?

7. What is the one bright spot in Jocelyn Dunbar's Christmas newsletter?

8. What reservations does David Sedaris have about wearing a costume for employment?

9. What is Jocelyn Dunbar's youngest son like?

10. What is the premise of "Season's Greetings to Our Friends and Family!!!"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the character of Thaddeus Bristol and what he represents in society.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the irony of the situation for the following characters: Jocelyn Dunbar, young David Sedaris and Jim Timothy.

Essay Topic 3

What do these stories reveal about the importance of social status in American middle-class culture?

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