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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In "Junk-Food Heaven," according to Bill, what kind of food shopper is his wife?
(a) She buys a lot of junk food.
(b) She loves to cut out and use coupons.
(c) She hates shopping; he does it all.
(d) She buys healthy and nutritious food.

2. According to Bryson in "Why No One Walks," how far does the average American walk in a day?
(a) About 350 yards.
(b) About a mile.
(c) About two miles.
(d) About half a mile.

3. How do 40,000 Americans die a year, according to Bryson?
(a) By falling under trains.
(b) By contracting hepatitis.
(c) By accidents on construction sites.
(d) By gunshot wounds.

4. Why does Bryson have an issue with the Internet?
(a) It's unreliable.
(b) It's expensive.
(c) People can glean personal information about others.
(d) It's making people anti-social.

5. How does Bryson begin "Tales of the North Woods?"
(a) He talks about shoveling snow.
(b) He talks about a college student who left a party and died in the woods.
(c) He talks about using a snowmobile.
(d) He talks about the town that disappeared, and no one has found it.

6. What does Bill say that he has to remember about going into restaurants?
(a) You need to show identification.
(b) He has to remove his baseball cap.
(c) They don't sell alcoholic drinks in the local eateries.
(d) To wait to be seated.

7. In "Why Everyone is Worried," which federal agency is not doing a very good job, according to Bryson?
(a) Homeland Security.
(b) Administration on Aging.
(c) The FBI.
(d) The CIA.

8. In "The Risk Factor," what does Bryson say an American is twice as likely to do as a British person?
(a) Die of cancer.
(b) Die is hospital.
(c) Die in childbirth.
(d) Die accidentally.

9. What is one complaint Bryson has about the small towns around him?
(a) That he can't find a decent dentist.
(b) That people are rude.
(c) There are no libraries.
(d) That everyone uses their car to get around.

10. What American kitchen convenience does Bill think is just wonderful?
(a) The microwave.
(b) The blender.
(c) The dishwasher.
(d) The garbage disposal.

11. What mistake did Bill make that made him realize that he, along with many others, needs product guidance?
(a) He bought some tobacco and then put it in the mailbox.
(b) He put his shoes on the wrong feet.
(c) He injured himself with his letter opener.
(d) He left his bank card in the ATM.

12. According to Bill, what product do Americans regard much differently than the British?
(a) Pet food.
(b) Over-the-counter drugs.
(c) Clothing.
(d) Cars.

13. Bryson says that 94% of Americans' trips from home involve the use of something in particular. What is that item?
(a) A snack.
(b) A cell phone.
(c) A car.
(d) A credit card.

14. When Bill phones the computer hotline to ask for help, what information do they ask him for first?
(a) The computer's serial number.
(b) His Social Security number.
(c) His address.
(d) His date of birth.

15. What does Bill say about the barber in his new hometown?
(a) He only seems to know hairstyles from the 1950's.
(b) He is fresh out of barber school and eager to try new things.
(c) He reads more books than Bill does.
(d) He could talk the hind leg off a donkey.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Bill say is ridiculous about a VCR?

2. What does Bryson call the expression his wife wears when she is ready for serious gardening?

3. What does Bill Bryson like about his new home town?

4. What disappeared in the north woods of New Hampshire in 1996 and was never found?

5. What does Bill hate about flying now that he is back in the U.S.?

(see the answer keys)

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