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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Miss Sampson believes Sedaris lisps because
(a) He cannot hear the sound of his own voice.
(b) He wants to stand out among other students.
(c) He never learned to speak correctly.
(d) He has a lazy tongue.

2. Ironically, the food at the restaurant is described as
(a) American Gothic.
(b) Dada-esque.
(c) Traditional American.
(d) Home cooking.

3. After his gourmet meal, Sedaris elects to
(a) Eat a plate of nachos at the movies.
(b) Eat a huge bucket of popcorn at the movies.
(c) Grab a burger at a fast-food place.
(d) Grab a hot dog on the way to the movies.

4. What instrument does Sedaris' father choose for him?
(a) Piano.
(b) Guitar.
(c) Flute.
(d) Trumpet.

5. Paul's relationship with his father might be described as
(a) Blunt and hurtful.
(b) Callous and indifferent.
(c) Honest and direct.
(d) Coddling and protective.

6. What adds to Sedaris' tension while he is in the bathroom?
(a) His friend keeps knocking on the door to hurry him up.
(b) He can hear the others beginning to talk about him outside.
(c) His friend keeps asking him what he is doing in there.
(d) He needs to use the toilet himself.

7. Sedaris' attempt to recruit his guitar teacher for his jingle-singing act results in
(a) Acceptance.
(b) Understanding.
(c) Rejection.
(d) Comaraderie.

8. Sedaris' mother might be described as
(a) A theorist.
(b) Pragmatic.
(c) Visionary.
(d) An inventor.

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

10. Before leaving for The Plaza, Sedaris warns Bonnie that
(a) She will get mugged if she dresses too formally.
(b) She will probably be overcharged by her cab driver.
(c) She might want to put on more formal clothing.
(d) She might want to go someplace less formal.

11. Who or what threatens to divide Sedaris' class?
(a) The teenage freshmen students.
(b) An asthmatic who protected the smoking rule in class.
(c) Sedaris' Pillow Talk segment, where students discussed their personal lives.
(d) An older returning student who claimed he was wasting her time.

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

13. Mr. Mancini makes Sedaris uncomfortable by constantly referring to
(a) Jazz musicians.
(b) Women and sex.
(c) Men and sex.
(d) Popular songs Sedaris does not know.

14. Sedaris suggests his brother is radically different from his other siblings because
(a) He is the oldest, and therefore the most conservative.
(b) He is a North Carolina native with gentlemanly Southern values.
(c) He is more refined than they are.
(d) He is much younger, and a North Carolina native.

15. Lou Sedaris said his daughters would thank him for
(a) Harrassing them about their weight.
(b) Encouraging them to exercise.
(c) Encouraging them about their looks.
(d) Introducing them to eligible men.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Sedaris prepare to teach his workshop?

2. Sedaris describes his guitar teacher as

3. What passion does Sedaris' father attempt to share with his children?

4. Sedaris confesses his desire to perform what songs before an audience?

5. Sedaris enjoys Alisha's visits because

(see the answer keys)

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