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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. Sedaris takes it personally when his teacher says

2. The toughest trip Sedaris can remember enduring as a child involved

3. What are the vachettes?

4. Martin, the American husband, remarks that

5. Sedaris is considered a celebrity by French teenagers because

Short Essay Questions

1. What gives Sedaris a new confidence about speaking French?

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

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

4. How does Sedaris attempt to charm his teacher with his humor?

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

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

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

8. Why are Sedaris' fantasies about manipulating American people rather than French people?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Comedian George Carlin once said, ""When you're born, you get a ticket to the freak show. When you're born in America, you get a front row seat." Write an essay in which you identify Sedaris' attitude toward the freakish qualities of Americans. Be sure to use specific examples from the text to support your ideas.

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

Considering Sedaris' exploration of the motifs of language and communication, write an essay in which you determine a conclusion or theme at which Sedaris arrives in his essays. Use specific examples of Sedaris' experiences with language and communication to develop and support your argument.

(see the answer keys)

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