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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Lou Sedaris once dreamed that computers would
(a) Connect people to their jobs at all times.
(b) Eliminate the need to leave his home.
(c) Eliminate the need for typewriters.
(d) Connect people all over the world.

2. The title The Youth In Asia applies to
(a) Sedaris' dogs, Fatty and Skinny.
(b) Euthanizing pets and adopting new ones.
(c) Sedaris' experiences living with a pet in Japan.
(d) Euthanizing pets and the Japanese cartoon Fatty and Skinny.

3. Why is Sedaris unable to ignore the problem?
(a) Everyone else has already tried to clean it up an failed.
(b) He is obsessive about cleanliness.
(c) Everyone else knows he has been in the bathroom.
(d) He feels guilty about leaving a mess behind for others to clean up.

4. Valencia is
(a) An exemplary boss for Sedaris.
(b) A starving artist who spends like she is wealthy.
(c) Wealthy, but lives like a starving artist.
(d) A woman who relies on her looks for everything.

5. Sedaris fears his father is not up to the task of caring for his new dog, Sophie, because
(a) He is older now, and she is old and dying.
(b) He is older now, and she is young and strong.
(c) He is not as attentive to pets as he used to be.
(d) She is violent and does not obey him.

6. Despite his experiences, Sedaris still finds the view of Manhattan and the fantasy of wealth
(a) Inspiring.
(b) Illusory.
(c) Confining.
(d) Contemptible.

7. In the bathroom, the major problem Sedaris faces is
(a) His proximity to the dinner party outside the window.
(b) His fears about other people's germs.
(c) An unflushed toilet.
(d) A broken sink.

8. One bi-product of new computer technology that Sedaris finds unfortunate is
(a) The family tree.
(b) YouTube.
(c) The family newsletter.
(d) The internet.

9. What finally convinces Sedaris that the computer might be interesting or enjoyable?
(a) His father tells him how the Internet can connect the world.
(b) Amy shows him how to use the word processor.
(c) Amy shows him Internet pornography.
(d) His father convinces him that he can work much faster on a computer.

10. One reason Sedaris resists the computer is
(a) He likes to see the physical product of his work, as he does with a typewriter.
(b) He likes travelling with the typewriter.
(c) He believes the computer cannot translate his words correctly.
(d) He likes to be able to physically correct his mistakes using Liquid Paper.

11. Sedaris finally recognizes Mr. Mancini as a fellow outsider when
(a) He recognizes that Mancini is unhappy in his work.
(b) He sees Mancini shopping in the boys' department for clothes.
(c) He sees Mancini getting harrassed at the mall.
(d) He recognizes that Mancini does not have any talent.

12. The scientific term Sedaris fears his father will use is
(a) Aquatics.
(b) Bazillion.
(c) Pi.
(d) Googolplex.

13. Sedaris confesses his desire to perform what songs before an audience?
(a) Pop songs.
(b) Commercial jingles.
(c) Jazz classics.
(d) Blues classics.

14. Sedaris compares the typewriter's antiquity to
(a) Eight-track tapes and the quill.
(b) Eight-track tapes and VCRs.
(c) The printing press.
(d) Cassette players.

15. Sedaris' father asks him if he knows
(a) Why the fishermen are so tan.
(b) If he is aware of the dangers of sun-tanning.
(c) How many fish there are in the ocean.
(d) How many grains of sand there are in the world.

Short Answer Questions

1. Sedaris believed he was living art because

2. Bonnie comes to enjoy New York when

3. Richie had been in prison for

4. Instead of the performance piece in the twelfth "moment," Sedaris seems to admire

5. Sedaris' friend Alisha describes most people as

(see the answer keys)

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