View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. One aspect of the food that disturbs Sedaris is
(a) That it is piled in an unrecognizable heap.
(b) That it is stacked vertically on his plate.
(c) That it is arranged to look like a face on his plate.
(d) That it is laid out in a horizontal line.

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

3. What prompts Lou Sedaris to enroll his children in music lessons?
(a) He attends a jazz festival with his children.
(b) His attends a rock concert with his children.
(c) He attends a concert for Dave Brubeck and his sons.
(d) He attends a concert for the Von Trapp Family Singers.

4. Sedaris enjoys Alisha's visits because
(a) She is independent and always goes out on her own.
(b) She is willing to do whatever anyone else wants to do.
(c) She has her own opinions on New York.
(d) She never brings guests.

5. At the end of the essay, Miss Sampson tricks Sedaris by
(a) Getting him to overcome his lisp.
(b) Forcing him to speak in front of the class.
(c) Making him continue to take speech therapy.
(d) Getting him to say "I'm sorry."

6. Sedaris is not bothered by the possible ingredients in a hot dog because
(a) He only eats vegetarian hot dogs.
(b) He recognizes the hot dog as food.
(c) He does not believe the rumors about them.
(d) He is used to exotic foods.

7. The name "Rooster" came from
(a) Paul's mother.
(b) Paul's business.
(c) Paul himself.
(d) Paul's father.

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

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

10. The Japanese cartoon Fatty and Skinny makes Sedaris sad because
(a) Skinny always demands money from Fatty.
(b) Skinny is unable to meet Fatty's demands, and ends up friendless.
(c) Fatty always rejects Skinny in the end.
(d) Fatty is unable to meet Skinny's demands and loses his friendship.

11. Richie had been in prison for
(a) Burning his sister to death.
(b) Refusing to pay taxes.
(c) Burning his sister's boyfriend to death.
(d) Killing his younger brother.

12. When Mancini insists he name his guitar, Sedaris names his "Joan," after
(a) His sister.
(b) His mother.
(c) His cousin.
(d) His friend.

13. 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) A broken sink.
(d) An unflushed toilet.

14. Miss Sampson asks the previous question in order to
(a) Trick Sedaris into revealing his disdain for sports.
(b) Determine whether or not she will like Sedaris.
(c) Get Sedaris talking so she might hear his lisp.
(d) Provoke an argument about football.

15. Sedaris discovers that most of the boys in speech therapy are
(a) Popular and smart.
(b) Unlike himself.
(c) Unable to pronounce consonants correctly.
(d) Unpopular and uninterested in sports.

Short Answer Questions

1. The scientific term Sedaris fears his father will use is

2. In the end, Sedaris decides

3. The dog Mr. and Mrs. Sedaris coddled as empty-nesters was

4. Two extreme facets of Paul's personality are

5. Mr. Mancini makes Sedaris uncomfortable by constantly referring to

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 596 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample