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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Sedaris finds that most of the people in class share the belief that
(a) They will one day share a common faith.
(b) They can clearly communicate their religious beliefs.
(c) They will one day speak and understand French clearly.
(d) Easter occurs in March or April.

2. 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.

3. Sedaris initially offends the American couple by
(a) Grabbing on to a support pole they are clinging to.
(b) Crowding the couple with his body.
(c) Admitting that he speaks English.
(d) Refusing to acknowlege their questions.

4. When Hugh's father was late picking him up from the movies, he discovered
(a) A new film about a talking Volkswagen.
(b) A dead man hanging from a telephone pole.
(c) A man killing a pig with a shotgun.
(d) The theatre had only folding chairs and a sheet for a screen.

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

6. Sedaris does poorly on the IQ test because
(a) The testing room was too hot.
(b) He does not know the answers to the questions.
(c) He is distracted by the teacher.
(d) He does not understand the questions in French.

7. Sedaris attempts to impress his teacher by
(a) Speaking only English in class.
(b) Speaking perfect French.
(c) Using his humor to lighten up the class.
(d) Using his humor to make homework assignments interesting.

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

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

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

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

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

13. Why does Sedaris feel ashamed about his inability to speak proper French?
(a) A friend told him that French children never struggle with the sex of their nouns.
(b) A friend told him that French is the easiest language to learn.
(c) A friend told him that French is easy if one pays attention in class.
(d) A friend told him that French children learn English easily.

14. As an adult, what prompts Sedaris to believe he is a genius?
(a) Alcohol.
(b) His art.
(c) Drugs.
(d) His philosophical theories.

15. One glaring difference Sedaris notices between watching movies in the U.S and watching them in Paris is
(a) No one eats during the movies in Paris.
(b) No one needs subtitles in Paris.
(c) No one talks during the movies in Paris.
(d) No one knows who he is in Paris.

Short Answer Questions

1. Ultimately, Sedaris decides

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

3. Martin, the American husband, remarks that

4. Unlike American theaters, French theaters

5. What led Sedaris to take an IQ test?

(see the answer keys)

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