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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. The celebrity Sedaris' barber is fascinated by is

2. Sedaris is disappointed when

3. Sedaris notes that American businesses ask consumers to conserve water and napkins, but not

4. At the Festival of Saint Anne, Sedaris is offered the chance to

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why does Sedaris allow the American couple to insult him without admitting he speaks English?

4. Describe the Easter celebration the Sedaris family held each year.

5. What does Sedaris finally conclude about his obsession with crossword puzzles?

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Consider Sedaris description of the characters in his book as wealthy or otherwise. How does money affect the attitudes or personalities described in Sedaris' essays? Based on his descriptions of individuals, create an essay in which you identify Sedaris' attitude toward wealthy and its affect on people.

Essay Topic 3

Many of Sedaris' essays focus on childhood. Write an essay in which you determine a theme Sedaris creates on the subject of childhood, and use specific examples to support your argument.

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