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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. After his gourmet meal, Sedaris elects to

2. Before leaving for The Plaza, Sedaris warns Bonnie that

3. Sedaris refuses to order dessert because

4. The name "Rooster" came from

5. The scientific term Sedaris fears his father will use is

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Sedaris feel his father admired jazz so much as a young man?

2. How are Valencia and Patrick different?

3. When does Sedaris come to understand his parents' experience with dying pets?

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

5. Describe Sedaris' tone in relation to his own artistic talents.

6. What does Amy Sedaris do to torture her father over Christmas vacation?

7. Why does the young Sedaris miss the irony of the fisherman's inability to live by the seashore?

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

9. How has Sedaris' mother explained bodily functions?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many of Sedaris' essays revolve around experiences with his parents. Considering Sedaris' descriptions of these experiences and his characterization of his parents, write an essay in which you evaluate their success in raising children. Use specific examples of Sedaris' childhood, and his parents' interaction with his siblings and himself, as support for your argument.

Essay Topic 2

Several characters is Sedaris' essays seem to find freedom from the need for others' approval. Write an essay in which you compare Sedaris to any other character in the book, noting whether either person is ultimately free from others' approval. Use examples from the text to support your argument.

Essay Topic 3

Erich Fromm said, "Integrity simply means not violating one's own identity." Considering Sedaris' own search for identity throughout his essays, write an essay of your own in which you argue whether or not he maintains integrity throughout his experiences. Use specific examples to support your argument.

(see the answer keys)

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