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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. The Texans on the Metro do not make room for the growing crowd because
(a) They are too tired to get up.
(b) They are unable to read the signs instructing them to do so.
(c) They are unable to make their seats fold up.
(d) They feel entitled to their seats.

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

4. Ultimately, Sedaris decides
(a) He wanted to return to the fair to see if the blonde girl was alright.
(b) He still needed a good cocktail party story.
(c) He wanted to see someone gored by the vachettes.
(d) He felt no pleasure in watching the men get injured by the vachettes.

5. Sedaris is disappointed when
(a) Police help the blonde woman at the fair.
(b) Police make everyone leave the scene at the Paris fair.
(c) Police inform him that the accident is not a planned part of the show.
(d) Police accuse him of being a gawker.

Short Answer Questions

1. Sedaris finds that some stereotypes about Americans are:

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

3. Tea keeps Sedaris awake because

4. Sedaris claims that if he wanted to hear wall-to-wall French

5. What is the most difficult part of learning French for Sedaris?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Sedaris find the many signs posted in America ironic?

2. Why is Sedaris even more afraid to speak French while taking a class in Paris?

3. What does Sedaris finally conclude about his obsession with crossword puzzles?

4. Why does Sedaris claim Americans believe French people are arrogant?

5. Why does the barber refuse to believe Jodi Foster would clean up after her own dog while walking on the beach?

6. How has Sedaris' childhood been different from Hugh's?

7. Why does Sedaris believe he cannot have the same movie-viewing experiences in America that he has in Paris?

8. Describe the Easter celebration the Sedaris family held each year.

9. What gives Sedaris a new confidence about speaking French?

10. Why does Sedaris allow the American couple to insult him without admitting he speaks English?

(see the answer keys)

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