View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Sedaris is disappointed when
(a) Police help the blonde woman at the fair.
(b) Police make everyone leave the scene at the Paris fair.
(c) Police accuse him of being a gawker.
(d) Police inform him that the accident is not a planned part of the show.

2. Sedaris deals with his new fear of speaking French by
(a) Pretending to be deaf.
(b) Forcing himself to join in conversations.
(c) Speaking only Enlish.
(d) Writing down all his comments.

3. Sedaris attempts to impress his teacher by
(a) Using his humor to lighten up the class.
(b) Speaking only English in class.
(c) Using his humor to make homework assignments interesting.
(d) Speaking perfect French.

4. Why are the students in Sedaris' French class intimidated by the teacher?
(a) The teacher is sarcastic and ridicules the students.
(b) The teacher refuses to speak French until lthe students speak it perfectly.
(c) The teacher will not allow the students to speak aloud in class.
(d) The teacher claims to believe all the students are stupid.

5. Sedaris says he sounds like an evil baby when speaking French because
(a) He refuses to speak French aloud.
(b) He only uses curse words.
(c) He refuses to learn new words.
(d) He only uses nouns at first.

6. What does Sedaris feel he is sometimes called to do as an American living in Paris?
(a) He is called to defend his decision to keep his citizenship.
(b) He is called to apologize for Bill Clinton's exploits.
(c) He is called to explain his move to France.
(d) He is called to explain or defend America.

7. The crossword puzzles grow harder as
(a) They include sports and opera.
(b) They are translated into French.
(c) The week progresses.
(d) The months progress.

8. Sedaris notes that American businesses ask consumers to conserve water and napkins, but not
(a) The services or products that are complimentary.
(b) Expensive items.
(c) The services or products consumers pay for.
(d) Items that can be re-used.

9. According to Sedaris, what did Hugh gain from his difficult experiences?
(a) A great selection of childhood stories.
(b) A sense of self-righteousness.
(c) A position with the State Department.
(d) A sense of fortitude.

10. When Hugh's father was late picking him up from the movies, he discovered
(a) A man killing a pig with a shotgun.
(b) The theatre had only folding chairs and a sheet for a screen.
(c) A dead man hanging from a telephone pole.
(d) A new film about a talking Volkswagen.

11. Unlike American theaters, French theaters
(a) Do not offer many concessions.
(b) Do not offer a choice of seats.
(c) Do not offer ice cream.
(d) Do not allow repeat viewings.

12. Tea keeps Sedaris awake because
(a) He does not like the taste of it.
(b) It is considered "decaf," which offends him.
(c) He can only drink a cup or two before it makes him sick.
(d) It is caffeinated and makes him need to use the bathroom.

13. Sedaris does not usually socialize with the members of his French class because
(a) He feels too ashamed of his minimal French.
(b) He feels too old and worn out.
(c) He feels awkward about his celebrity.
(d) He feels too awkward about being an American.

14. Hugh claims Sedaris is a genius at
(a) Vacuuming and drinking.
(b) Shopping and learning French.
(c) Vacuuming and naming stuffed animals.
(d) Shopping and naming stuffed animals.

15. Sedaris' own family was
(a) Greek Orthodox.
(b) Russian Orthodox.
(c) Catholic.
(d) Atheist.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Hugh get frustrated with Sedaris' multiple purchases?

2. Whose childhood stories does Sedaris borrow for this essay?

3. What does Sedaris notice about many signs posted in America?

4. Sedaris claims he sees so many movies because

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 715 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample