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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through The Great Indoors, Death Watch, In Praise of Diners, Shopping Madness, The Fat of the Land, Your New Computer, How to Rent a Car, The Wasteland, The Flying Nightmare and Enough Already.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Bill prefer the post offices in the U.S. to the ones in Britain?
(a) The buildings are clean and new.
(b) Each town has one.
(c) The U.S. postal charges are very low.
(d) The U.S. post offices only deal with mail.

2. How does Bill explain the popularity of motel chains in America?
(a) Good marketing.
(b) Privately owned ones are expensive.
(c) The chains are clean and efficient.
(d) People want the same thing wherever they go.

3. What does Mrs. Bryson tell her husband about Maggie that cheers him up?
(a) Maggie dyed her hair, and it turned green.
(b) Maggie had made herself sick on vegetarian stew.
(c) Maggie had to have her jaw wired shut for dental work.
(d) Maggie had moved to Boston.

4. Although the GDP is seen as a positive in economic terms, how does Bill say it can be negative?
(a) It does not help the poor.
(b) Some of it has to go to other countries.
(c) Production can cause pollution.
(d) It is just too confusing.

5. What does Bryson do in the section called "Life's Mysteries"?
(a) Wonders why the English act the way they do.
(b) Asks questions about things he doesn't understand.
(c) Answers questions about things most people don't understand.
(d) Talks about unsolved murder cases in New Hampshire.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Bill find strange about some U.S. commercials?

2. What does Bill find to be a difficult adjustment for him when he returns to the U.S.?

3. What does Bill like about having a college as part of he town he lives in?

4. In "Room Service," what does Bill say the Motel Inn in California is famous for?

5. According to Bryson, what is the result of the "abundance of choice" in America?

(see the answer key)

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