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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. Sedaris is somewhat flattered by the notion that he might be a pick-pocket because
(a) It allows him to behave as he sees fit.
(b) It endows him with skills hardly recognized in him.
(c) It allows him to hide his real identify.
(d) It endows him with some skill and mystery.

3. 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 is sarcastic and ridicules the students.
(d) The teacher claims to believe all the students are stupid.

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

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

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

7. When Sedaris watches American movies in Paris, he
(a) Does not feel homesick.
(b) Does not remember he is in Paris.
(c) Does not feel ashamed to be American.
(d) Does not feel guilty for escaping to the theatre.

8. At the end of the essay, Sedaris compares himself to
(a) A baby.
(b) A criminal.
(c) A hillbilly.
(d) A celebrity.

9. What does Sedaris feel he is sometimes called to do as an American living in Paris?
(a) He is called to explain his move to France.
(b) He is called to defend his decision to keep his citizenship.
(c) He is called to explain or defend America.
(d) He is called to apologize for Bill Clinton's exploits.

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

11. Sedaris does not usually socialize with the members of his French class because
(a) He feels too awkward about being an American.
(b) He feels too old and worn out.
(c) He feels awkward about his celebrity.
(d) He feels too ashamed of his minimal French.

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

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

14. Why did Hugh's family live in the Congo?
(a) Hugh's father was with the U.S. State Department.
(b) Hugh's father was a missionary.
(c) Hugh's father was African.
(d) Hugh's father was a U.S. Senator.

15. Even without the language barrier, Sedaris doubts people can communicate clearly about
(a) Easter.
(b) Habits.
(c) Holidays.
(d) Faith.

Short Answer Questions

1. The celebrity Sedaris' barber is fascinated by is

2. Unlike Sedaris' childhood fieldtrips to historic villages, Hugh's school took him to visit

3. Sedaris deals with his new fear of speaking French by

4. At first, Sedaris resists the Walkman because

5. Ultimately, Sedaris decides

(see the answer keys)

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