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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. Why did Hugh's family live in the Congo?

2. Ultimately, Sedaris decides

3. Hugh claims Sedaris is a genius at

4. When Hugh's father was late picking him up from the movies, he discovered

5. Sedaris finds that some stereotypes about Americans are:

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Ultimately, how does Sedaris claim to feel about Hugh's experiences?

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

4. In the end, what does the class discussion on Easter lead Sedaris to conclude?

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

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

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

8. What has become Sedaris' habit when friends come to visit him in Paris?

9. Why does Sedaris eventually take the Mensa IQ test?

10. Why does Sedaris finally start referring to nouns in their plural form?

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

Consider the motifs of trauma and tragedy in Sedaris' essays. Write an essay of your own in which you reflect on the effect of trauma and tragedy on Sedaris or other characters. Use examples from the text to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

Sedaris mentions many means of escapism in his essays. Considering his references to avoiding reality and interactions with others, write an essay in which you identify at least three symbols of escapism Sedaris uses, and draw a conclusion about Sedaris' reason for using these methods. Support your position with specific examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

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