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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 would Bryson need in order to bring a souvenir home from Bryson City?

2. According to Bryson's generalization, who will people from Des Moines marry?

3. Why were Bryson's family vacations always so dingy?

4. Bryson declares that Tupelo is _______.

5. Where are the senior citizens visiting the "Little White House" from?

Short Essay Questions

1. What inspired Bryson's trip?

2. How does Bryson feel about signs and billboards?

3. What do Bryson's expectations in revisiting his grandparents' home say about him?

4. Why does Bryson name the town "Dullard"?

5. What effect does Bryson's visit to Ripley's Believe It Or Not museum have on him?

6. What are Bryson's feelings about Mississippi? Why does he feel this way?

7. Why does Bryson like Tupelo?

8. How do the tourists in Warm Springs embody Bryson's dislikes?

9. How does Bryson generalize towns from his youth?

10. Why does Bryson draw ties to movies? How does this aid the narrative?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bryson embarks on this trip alone, but with the objective of reminiscing about his youth and family. Discuss Bryson's conflict between his family unit and his independent nature. Which does he prefer? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Bryson occasionally detours to an anecdote while traveling. At times, the tie is clear but not so much in others. Discuss Bryson's use of anecdotes and how it fleshes out or conveys something about the moments Bryson diverges.

Essay Topic 3

Through many of Bryson's stops on his journey, he compares his experiences as a child to those as an adult. Discuss Bryson's relationship and resistance to change--whether it be change in himself or in his environment. Is Bryson able to distinguish internal and external change?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 852 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample