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Name: _________________________ | Period: ___________________ |
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. What changes Sedaris' mind about visiting France for the summer?
3. How does Sedaris solve his problem naming masculine and feminine nouns in public?
4. Using the reference books, Sedaris discovers a whole new world of
5. When Sedaris completes his first puzzle,
Short Essay Questions
1. Why are Sedaris' fantasies about manipulating American people rather than French people?
2. Why does Sedaris find the many signs posted in America ironic?
3. Ultimately, how does Sedaris claim to feel about Hugh's experiences?
4. Why is Sedaris relieved that he squeals and grabs his neighbors' legs when the men are injured by the vachettes?
5. What does Sedaris do to help himself sleep at night when various beverages fail him?
6. Why does the barber refuse to believe Jodi Foster would clean up after her own dog while walking on the beach?
7. Why does Sedaris allow the American couple to insult him without admitting he speaks English?
8. Why does Sedaris eventually take the Mensa IQ test?
9. How does Sedaris attempt to charm his teacher with his humor?
10. Why is Sedaris even more afraid to speak French while taking a class in Paris?
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
Through several of his essays, Sedaris explores the theme of belonging. Choose three examples from the text that illustrate Sedaris' feelings about belonging, and write an essay in which you explore his viewpoint, supporting your argument with text.
Essay Topic 3
Sedaris identifies many of his own accomplishments, large and small, throughout his essays. Considering these accomplishments, write an essay in which you identify the qualities Sedaris seems to admire most in himself. What is he most proud of? What does he mock about himself? Use specific examples from the text to support your argument.
This section contains 791 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) |
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