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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Sedaris confesses his own fear is that
(a) His self-worth is based on completion of the puzzles.
(b) His self-worth is reflected by his ex-boyfriend's indifference.
(c) His self-worth is based on how many facts he can memorize.
(d) His self-worth is determined by the reference books.

2. In the Mr. Science fantasy, Sedaris
(a) Is able to cure AIDS, cancer, and the appearance of old age.
(b) decides to let illnesses take their natural course.
(c) is a gynecologist.
(d) is given the Nobel prize for literature.

3. When Sedaris can no longer turn to his friends and family for help with the puzzles, he
(a) Has to buy a French dictionary.
(b) Has to give up the puzzles for a while.
(c) Has to buy a cell phone to call them in America.
(d) Has to buy reference books.

4. What are the vachettes?
(a) Angry French teenagers.
(b) Crocheted doilies.
(c) French crafts.
(d) Long-horned cattle.

5. In most of his fantasies, Sedaris gives himself
(a) Extraordinary gifts or powers.
(b) A faithful sidekick.
(c) A fortune to spend any way he wants.
(d) A handicap he needs to overcome.

6. Sedaris claims that if he wanted to hear wall-to-wall French
(a) He would go back to French class.
(b) He would simply participate in real life.
(c) He would move back to Normandy.
(d) He would buy more French books on tape.

7. Sedaris finds that some stereotypes about Americans are:
(a) Americans are overweight and timid.
(b) Americans do not smoke, and are overweight and pushy.
(c) Americans do not smoke, drink, or use anti-depressants.
(d) Americans smoke, drink excessively, and take Prozac.

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

9. Sedaris' own family was
(a) Catholic.
(b) Russian Orthodox.
(c) Greek Orthodox.
(d) Atheist.

10. What changes Sedaris' mind about visiting France for the summer?
(a) The desire to learn French convinces Sedaris to visit France.
(b) The gifts Hugh brings him convince Sedaris to visit France.
(c) The promise of being a local celebrity convinces Sedaris to visit France.
(d) Loneliness convinces Sedaris to visit France.

11. Whose childhood stories does Sedaris borrow for this essay?
(a) Hugh's.
(b) His mother's.
(c) His father's.
(d) Amy's.

12. Sedaris insists that Hugh take the IQ test with him
(a) So that he can prove he is smarter than Hugh.
(b) So that Hugh can translate the test into English for him.
(c) So that he can compare his score to someone else's.
(d) So that he can prove he is a genius to his father.

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 girl at a Paris fair.
(c) He was morbidly fascinated by the possible death of a carnival worker.
(d) He watched a girl die at a Paris street fair.

14. Though Sedaris is in Paris, he spends most of his time
(a) Watching American films.
(b) Watching documentaries.
(c) Watching silent films.
(d) Watching foreign films.

15. Sedaris finds the assignation of gender difficult because
(a) It is so similiar in the English language.
(b) It seems random to him.
(c) It seems vulgar to him.
(d) It seems like he is using too many words.

Short Answer Questions

1. Sedaris is surprised to learn that in France,

2. Sedaris is somewhat flattered by the notion that he might be a pick-pocket because

3. What does Sedaris feel he is sometimes called to do as an American living in Paris?

4. Ultimately, Sedaris decides

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

(see the answer keys)

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