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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. What is Lou Sedaris excited about at the start of the essay?

2. Sedaris questions

3. Sedaris' attempt to recruit his guitar teacher for his jingle-singing act results in

4. Sedaris suggests his brother is radically different from his other siblings because

5. Sedaris is not bothered by the possible ingredients in a hot dog because

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Sedaris suggest Miss Sampson's "timing was off" when she reveals her human side during their last session?

2. What is Sedaris' attitude toward the wealthy at the start of the essay?

3. How are Valencia and Patrick different?

4. Why does Sedaris resist learning to play the guitar?

5. How has Sedaris' mother explained bodily functions?

6. How does the speech therapist continue to bring Sedaris' lisp to his attention?

7. Describe Sedaris' attitude in the face of the task he has to perform in his friend's bathroom.

8. What is significant about the title Go Carolina?

9. What features of the the typewriter does Sedaris praise?

10. Why does Sedaris claim he lives in constant fear as Mr. Sedaris?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Sedaris mentions many means of escapism in his essays. Considering his references to avoiding reality and interactions with others, write an essay in which you identify at least three symbols of escapism Sedaris uses, and draw a conclusion about Sedaris' reason for using these methods. Support your position with specific examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

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