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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. Why doesn't Bryson mind bad service in restaurants?

2. Where do Bryson and his brother eat on their visit?

3. The trash and poverty makes Philadelphia feel like more of a ______ to Bryson.

4. Why does Bryson want to go to the hotel calling for "proper attire"?

5. What is the problem with Cooperstown which prevents it from being Bryson's "perfect town"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Bryson relieved to be back in Iowa?

2. In Bryson's opinion, how is poverty relative?

3. How does Bryson know how to socially categorize Hal and Lucia?

4. How is Bryson similar to the pilgrims?

5. Why doesn't Bryson mind bad service in restaurants?

6. What is the unspoken connection with travelers?

7. What has always been Bryson's reaction to inequality?

8. Why are Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island more to Bryson's liking?

9. What did Bryson realize on a family trip when he witnessed a shooting?

10. Why is Bryson concerned about Detroit?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What initiated Bryson's urge to travel was his desire to "be somewhere." However, what inspired this trip was tied to the death of his father and his desire to revisit youth. Discuss Bryson's complex relationship with home.

Essay Topic 2

Bryson expressed his objective of returning to the land of his youth at the beginning of the book. Discuss Bryson's successes or failures in his objective.

Essay Topic 3

Aside from sightseeing, Bryson is very concerned with his natural surroundings in both their glory and inadequacy. Discuss how Bryson uses the environment to convey his views of regions and America as a whole.

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This section contains 750 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample