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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The Texans on the Metro do not make room for the growing crowd because
(a) They are too tired to get up.
(b) They feel entitled to their seats.
(c) They are unable to make their seats fold up.
(d) They are unable to read the signs instructing them to do so.

2. What is the most difficult part of learning French for Sedaris?
(a) Memorizing nouns.
(b) Conjugating verbs.
(c) Memorizing which nouns are masculine and feminine.
(d) Memorizing plural forms of nouns.

3. Sedaris deals with his new fear of speaking French by
(a) Writing down all his comments.
(b) Forcing himself to join in conversations.
(c) Speaking only Enlish.
(d) Pretending to be deaf.

4. When Sedaris completes his first puzzle,
(a) He carries it around proudly in his wallet.
(b) He calls his ex-boyfriend to brag about it.
(c) He decides it is too easy for him.
(d) He calls his father to seek his approval.

5. Instead of listening to French language tapes, Sedaris listens to
(a) Old rock and roll tape.
(b) Children's books on tape.
(c) American books on tape.
(d) French text books on tape.

6. The celebrity Sedaris' barber is fascinated by is
(a) Jodi Foster.
(b) Madonna.
(c) Mel Gibson.
(d) Michael Jackson.

7. What does Sedaris notice about many signs posted in America?
(a) The signs are clearly posted to insult the intelligence of foreigners.
(b) The signs are clearly posted to avoid lawsuits.
(c) The signs suggest a level of sophistication among Americans.
(d) The signs are clearly posted to help travellers feel comfortable.

8. Why are the students in Sedaris' French class intimidated by the teacher?
(a) The teacher will not allow the students to speak aloud in class.
(b) The teacher claims to believe all the students are stupid.
(c) The teacher is sarcastic and ridicules the students.
(d) The teacher refuses to speak French until lthe students speak it perfectly.

9. Sedaris is considered a celebrity by French teenagers because
(a) He is a published author.
(b) He owns a glamorous home.
(c) He is from New York City.
(d) He knows many celebrities.

10. How does Sedaris solve his problem naming masculine and feminine nouns in public?
(a) He assigns every noun a gender he feels is appropriate.
(b) He uses the singular form of every noun, so no gender is necessary.
(c) He refuses to use nouns in conversation.
(d) He uses the plural form of every noun, so no gender is necessary.

11. Sedaris decides to try a crossword puzzle when
(a) His father suggests he is not smart enought to do them.
(b) He discovers his ex-boyfriend does them while on the phone.
(c) His father suggests he try a new hobby.
(d) He discovers Hugh does them while on the phone.

12. What does Sedaris admit to feeling for America?
(a) Pride.
(b) Anger.
(c) Arrogance.
(d) Contempt.

13. Why has Sedaris' conscience been bothering him?
(a) He tried to take pictures of an accident at a Paris street fair.
(b) He was morbidly fascinated by the possible death of a carnival worker.
(c) He watched a girl die at a Paris street fair.
(d) He was morbidly fascinated by the possible death of a girl at a Paris fair.

14. Why does Hugh get frustrated with Sedaris' multiple purchases?
(a) Hugh is concerned that Sedaris will never learn proper French.
(b) Hugh is concerned about the money Sedaris spends.
(c) They don't have enough room for all of Sedaris' purchases.
(d) They don't eat most of the foods that Sedaris can pronounce.

15. Though the teacher ridicules him in the end, Sedaris is proud because
(a) He has finally learned to defend himself in French.
(b) He thinks she is complimenting him.
(c) He understands every word she is saying.
(d) He agrees with her.

Short Answer Questions

1. One glaring difference Sedaris notices between watching movies in the U.S and watching them in Paris is

2. At the end of the essay, Sedaris compares himself to

3. As an adult, what prompts Sedaris to believe he is a genius?

4. Which of the following is not an unusual word Sedaris learned in French?

5. Why did the class have to explain Easter to the Moroccan woman?

(see the answer keys)

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