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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 does Sedaris feel he is sometimes called to do as an American living in Paris?

2. In most of his fantasies, Sedaris gives himself

3. Sedaris has trouble sleeping since

4. Martin, the American husband, remarks that

5. Sedaris finds that most of the people in class share the belief that

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe one way in which Sedaris attempts to memorize masculine and feminine nouns.

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

3. Why is Sedaris devastated to learn that his former boyfriend works the Times crossword puzzle?

4. Why does Sedaris fear he is considered the village idiot in Normandy?

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

6. What does Sedaris notice about Americans while living in France?

7. Why is Sedaris relieved that he squeals and grabs his neighbors' legs when the men are injured by the vachettes?

8. While watching the girl dangle from a broken ride at the Paris street fair, what is Sedaris most concerned about?

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

10. What does Sedaris do to help himself sleep at night when various beverages fail him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

If "Selfishness and self-absorption are deadly charm-exterminators," how does Sedaris remain interesting and sympathetic despite his descriptions of himself throughout the book? Write an essay in which you identify specific strategies, such as humor and hyperbole, that contribute favorably to Sedaris' style, even when he is offering self-criticism.

Essay Topic 2

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.

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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