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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

3. Some of the themes Sedaris finds common in his fantasies are
(a) The ability to foresee the future, and the ability to correct others' mistakes.
(b) Good looks and the ability to control others.
(c) Good looks and an interest in the good of all others.
(d) The ability to control others and be uncontrollable himself.

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

5. 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 about the money Sedaris spends.
(c) They don't have enough room for all of Sedaris' purchases.
(d) Hugh is concerned that Sedaris will never learn proper French.

6. Sedaris says he sounds like an evil baby when speaking French because
(a) He refuses to learn new words.
(b) He refuses to speak French aloud.
(c) He only uses curse words.
(d) He only uses nouns at first.

7. 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) Loneliness convinces Sedaris to visit France.
(d) The promise of being a local celebrity convinces Sedaris to visit France.

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

9. What led Sedaris to take an IQ test?
(a) Fear.
(b) Laziness.
(c) Self-pity.
(d) Curiosity.

10. At the start of the essay, Sedaris explains how he met
(a) Amy.
(b) Hugh.
(c) Alisha.
(d) Bonnie.

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

12. Using the reference books, Sedaris discovers a whole new world of
(a) Opera.
(b) Diseases.
(c) Phobias.
(d) Sports.

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

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

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

Short Answer Questions

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

2. Why does Sedaris feel ashamed about his inability to speak proper French?

3. Sedaris decides to try a crossword puzzle when

4. Why did Hugh's family live in the Congo?

5. When Hugh's father was late picking him up from the movies, he discovered

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