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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In "Pussytoes," what does Sedaris say he wants for his own casket, someday?
(a) A publisher's shipping box.
(b) A pine box painted by Hugh.
(c) A gold casket lined with red satin.
(d) A casket shaped like a hardcover book.

2. On page 228 of "Pussytoes," what does Gretchen complain she is not allowed to say at work anymore?
(a) "Workmen."
(b) "Manpower."
(c) "Native plants."
(d) "Alien species."

3. In "Lady Marmalade," what new role does Lou take on once all of his children have moved out?
(a) Landlord.
(b) Accountant.
(c) Neighborhood watch.
(d) Photographer.

4. In "Fresh-Caught Haddock," what objection does Sedaris raise to one of the protest chants?
(a) He does not believe in public swearing.
(b) He worries that protesters are courting violence from the police.
(c) He thinks it is too long and complicated to be practical.
(d) He dislikes equating a sexual act with punishment.

5. In "Smile, Beautiful," what point is Sedaris trying to convey with the example of the woman whose face was injured by an animal bite?
(a) People with serious facial injuries should be pleased to be able to hide their injuries behind a mask.
(b) There is something strange about people who refuse to take advantage of medical interventions to fix serious facial injuries.
(c) People can be proud of themselves and like their own appearance regardless of whether it is typical.
(d) The language used to describe atypical facial characteristics contributes to discrimination.

6. In "Pussytoes," what does Amy claim women's bathrooms smell like?
(a) Perfume.
(b) Mildew.
(c) Vomit.
(d) Feces.

7. In "Happy-Go-Lucky," what event does Sedaris say released him from his obsessive consumption of the news?
(a) Biden's election.
(b) The emergence of a weaker strain of the Covid virus.
(c) Covid vaccinations becoming available.
(d) Trump's election.

8. In "Lucky-Go-Happy," what does Sedaris notice everywhere once he starts touring again?
(a) There are consumer goods shortages.
(b) People have essentially stopped wearing masks.
(c) Physical arguments over small issues have become common.
(d) There is a shortage of employees.

9. In "Lucky-Go-Happy," what does Sedaris find disappointing about his Zoom event?
(a) He is distracted by seeing video of himself talking.
(b) He develops a migraine from focusing on the screen.
(c) He finds the technology alienating and unreliable.
(d) He misses the live audience feedback.

10. In "Smile, Beautiful," what finally inspires Sedaris to get his teeth fixed?
(a) The pain he begins to feel when chewing.
(b) The experience of wearing a mask in the pandemic.
(c) The story that the thrift store clerk tells him.
(d) Hugh's gentle encouragement and Amy's open teasing.

11. In "Pearls," what is "Luigi's"?
(a) An imaginary dry cleaner's shop.
(b) The depressing neighborhood supermarket.
(c) Hugh and Sedaris's favorite restaurant.
(d) Hugh and Sedaris's upstairs apartment.

12. In the beginning of "Fresh-Caught Haddock," where are Sedaris, Amy, and Hugh as they listen to the sounds of the protest?
(a) On the terrace of one of Hugh and Sedaris's apartments.
(b) In the kitchen of one of Amy's apartments.
(c) In a restaurant bordering Central Park.
(d) In an upscale boutique on Fifth Avenue.

13. On page 194 of "A Better Place," what does Sedaris object to someone saying to describe Prince dying?
(a) "Went home."
(b) "Found peace."
(c) "Transitioned."
(d) "Slept."

14. In "Happy-Go-Lucky," what reason does Lou give for the priest disliking him?
(a) He no longer believes in God.
(b) He uses language that the priest finds vulgar.
(c) He does not give enough money to the church.
(d) He has not been to church in twenty years.

15. In "Lady Marmalade," what is the name of the reform school that Tiffany was sent to?
(a) Running Springs School.
(b) The Oakley School.
(c) Provo Canyon School.
(d) The Élan School.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "The Vacuum," what does Sedaris say is the only thing he was able to successfully hoard?

2. In "Fresh-Caught Haddock," what concern does Sedaris express about the looting in New York?

3. In "A Better Place," what does Sedaris envy about the group at the table across the room?

4. In "A Better Place," what does Sedaris suggest would be true about Lou, if there were, in fact, an afterlife?

5. In "A Better Place," what is Sedaris implying when he comments about the long lives of Dick Cheney, Henry Kissinger, and Rupert Murdoch?

(see the answer keys)

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