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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. Unlike Sedaris' childhood fieldtrips to historic villages, Hugh's school took him to visit
(a) A weapons factory.
(b) A minefield.
(c) A slaughterhouse.
(d) A war zone.

3. What holiday does Sedaris find himself explaining to a Moroccan woman in his French class?
(a) Thanksgiving.
(b) Christmas.
(c) Easter.
(d) Halloween.

4. Why did the class have to explain Easter to the Moroccan woman?
(a) She was not familiar with Christian customs.
(b) She did not know the French word for Easter.
(c) She was not familiar with Muslim customs.
(d) She did not know what Christianity was.

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

6. Hugh claims Sedaris is a genius at
(a) Shopping and learning French.
(b) Vacuuming and drinking.
(c) Vacuuming and naming stuffed animals.
(d) Shopping and naming stuffed animals.

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

8. In The Knockout, Sedaris is dismayed to find
(a) Many groups want him to represent their cause in the ring.
(b) Many groups object to his fighting since he has no passion for it.
(c) He is too old to enter a boxing match.
(d) No one believes he can win the fight.

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

10. When men are injured by the vachettes, Sedaris
(a) Is overcome with joy.
(b) Laughs aloud.
(c) Cries out and has to leave the arena.
(d) Cries out and grabs his neighbors.

11. Martin, the American husband, remarks that
(a) Sedaris, like all the French, smells badly.
(b) Sedaris stole Hugh's wallet.
(c) Sedaris does not speak French well.
(d) Sedaris stole his wallet on his last trip to Paris.

12. At the Festival of Saint Anne, Sedaris is offered the chance to
(a) Watch someone get injured by the vachettes.
(b) Save his admission fee by agreeing to enter the ring with the vachettes.
(c) Watch Saint Anne play soccer against the vachettes.
(d) Save his admission fee by agreeing to repair a carnival ride.

13. Unlike American theaters, French theaters
(a) Do not offer many concessions.
(b) Do not allow repeat viewings.
(c) Do not offer a choice of seats.
(d) Do not offer ice cream.

14. Thanks to his sister, Amy, Sedaris learns
(a) Medical terms in French.
(b) The score to Phantom of the Opera.
(c) Literary terms in French.
(d) The score to Madame Butterfly.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. At the start of the essay, Sedaris explains how he met

2. Sedaris bonds with the other students

3. Instead of listening to French language tapes, Sedaris listens to

4. Sedaris' own family was

5. Sedaris does poorly on the IQ test because

(see the answer keys)

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