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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. Hugh claims Sedaris is a genius at

2. What changes Sedaris' mind about visiting France for the summer?

3. Why are the students in Sedaris' French class intimidated by the teacher?

4. One glaring difference Sedaris notices between watching movies in the U.S and watching them in Paris is

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Why does Sedaris believe he cannot have the same movie-viewing experiences in America that he has in Paris?

5. Why does the barber refuse to believe Jodi Foster would clean up after her own dog while walking on the beach?

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

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

8. Why is Sedaris devastated to learn that his former boyfriend works the Times crossword puzzle?

9. Why is Reggie so indignant about his job on the construction site clean-up crew?

10. What does Sedaris do to help himself sleep at night when various beverages fail him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Consider the quote, ""Genius has limitations; stupidity is boundless." Write an essay in which you defend, refute, or qualify the previous statement, using Sedaris' musings on his own limitations as support for your argument.

Essay Topic 2

Considering Sedaris' use of humor when writing about himself or people in general. Evaluate the effect of his humor on the essays you have read. Then write an essay of your own in which you determine how successful Sedaris' use of humor is in conveying the themes of his pieces. Use specific examples from the text to support your point.

Essay Topic 3

What expectations does Sedaris seem to have for American behavior? What stereotypes does he point out other nations have attributed to Americans? Write an essay in which you defend, refute, or qualify at least three stereotypes Sedaris identifies in Americans.

(see the answer keys)

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