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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. Before Paul's personality fully emerged, his parents tried to interest him in

2. Sedaris' enjoyment of the ocean was ruined by

3. During his experience as a mover, Sedaris begins to change because

4. Sedaris compares the typewriter's antiquity to

5. While Sedaris has been preoccupied with tanning, his father has been preoccupied with

Short Essay Questions

1. How are Valencia and Patrick different?

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

3. Why does Sedaris resist learning to play the guitar?

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

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

6. Why does Sedaris claim he lives in constant fear as Mr. Sedaris?

7. Why does Sedaris suggest Miss Sampson's "timing was off" when she reveals her human side during their last session?

8. How does Sedaris' mother respond to the music lessons the kids are taking?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Considering Sedaris' use of humor when writing about himself or people in general. Evaluate the effect of his humor on the essays you have read. Then write an essay of your own in which you determine how successful Sedaris' use of humor is in conveying the themes of his pieces. Use specific examples from the text to support your point.

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

Consider the motifs of loss and change in Sedaris' book. Then write an essay in which you describe Sedaris' attitude toward these two motifs, supporting your ideas with specific examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

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