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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. Where does Sedaris arrive in New York City?

2. Sedaris compares Sallie Mae to a __________.

3. What is Sedaris's favorite job at SantaLand?

4. What does Sedaris decide to wear for the Christmas season he works at the cafeteria?

5. What is the only thing they sell in SantaLand?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What happens when Sedaris goes to work at SantaLand on Christmas Eve?

3. What does Sedaris have to go through to be hired at SantaLand?

4. What is the decor of the Piccadilly Cafeteria like?

5. What happens when Sedaris tries to help a particularly harried mother one day?

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

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

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

9. What does David think about while he washes dishes at the cafeteria?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How was a humorous tone used throughout the story collection to both and amuse and disturb the reader?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss how Sedaris covers the difficult topics of racism and class snobbery in his stories.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the elements of satire used throughout the story collection.

(see the answer keys)

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