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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. Rather than sports, Sedaris states that he and his fellow speech therapy students were more interested in

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

3. When Mancini insists he name his guitar, Sedaris names his "Joan," after

4. Sedaris decides to make his students more comfortable by

5. Mr. Mancini makes Sedaris uncomfortable by constantly referring to

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the young Sedaris miss the irony of the fisherman's inability to live by the seashore?

2. Why does Mr. Mancini constantly refer to women and his sexual exploits?

3. Why does Sedaris feel the need to offer a comment to the final performance artist he mentions in the essay before he leaves?

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

5. What is ironic about the fact that Bonnie at last finds some "nice New Yorkers" at the Plaza Hotel?

6. What is significant about the title Go Carolina?

7. Why does Sedaris seem to object so strongly to his speech therapy sessions?

8. When does Sedaris come to understand his parents' experience with dying pets?

9. How has Sedaris' mother explained bodily functions?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In what ways do we see the the motif of self-discovery explored in Sedaris' essays? Choose three examples from the text in which Sedaris arrives at some form of self-discovery, and write an essay in which you determine how he has arrived at these moments.

Essay Topic 2

Many of Sedaris' essays revolve around experiences with his parents. Considering Sedaris' descriptions of these experiences and his characterization of his parents, write an essay in which you evaluate their success in raising children. Use specific examples of Sedaris' childhood, and his parents' interaction with his siblings and himself, as support for your argument.

Essay Topic 3

Consider the motifs of loss and change in Sedaris' book. Then write an essay in which you describe Sedaris' attitude toward these two motifs, supporting your ideas with specific examples from the text.

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