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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What skill does Sedaris admire in his mother that eludes him?

2. Why is Sedaris unable to ignore the problem?

3. Sedaris' friend Alisha describes most people as

4. The title Sedaris tried to win for sun-bathing was

5. Miss Sampson asks the previous question in order to

Short Essay Questions

1. What is ironic about the fact that Bonnie at last finds some "nice New Yorkers" at the Plaza Hotel?

2. How are Valencia and Patrick different?

3. What reasons does Sedaris list for hating computers?

4. What features of the the typewriter does Sedaris praise?

5. Describe Bonnie's character in City of Angels.

6. How does the statement "You Can't Kill the Rooster" relate to Paul's personality?

7. Why does Sedaris feel the need to offer a comment to the final performance artist he mentions in the essay before he leaves?

8. Why does Sedaris seem to object so strongly to his speech therapy sessions?

9. Describe Amy Sedaris' appearance in the much-anticipated magazine article.

10. Why does Sedaris believe his his parents are so lenient with Melina, the Great Dane?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Considering the family and relationship stories Sedaris recounts in his book, write an essay in which you describe the success of his relationships in general. Using specific examples to support your argument, evaluate Sedaris' own reflection on the important relationships in his life.

Essay Topic 2

In what ways do we see the the motif of self-discovery explored in Sedaris' essays? Choose three examples from the text in which Sedaris arrives at some form of self-discovery, and write an essay in which you determine how he has arrived at these moments.

Essay Topic 3

Consider the quote, ""Genius has limitations; stupidity is boundless." Write an essay in which you defend, refute, or qualify the previous statement, using Sedaris' musings on his own limitations as support for your argument.

(see the answer keys)

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