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

2. What does Bill end up doing with all the food he buys at the supermarket?
(a) He eats his way through it and buys more.
(b) He makes his kids eat it all.
(c) He eats his way through it and hates it.
(d) He throws half of it out.

3. In "Death Watch," what does Bryson dislike because they are "cold and bouncy and make odd noises."?
(a) Frozen pizza rolls.
(b) Snowmobiles.
(c) Small planes.
(d) Japanese cars.

4. According to Bryson, what does the Travel Industry Association of America say about shopping?
(a) Without it, the American economy would crash.
(b) Americans should shop more, not less.
(c) The Grand Canyon needs a mall.
(d) It is the number one holiday activity of Americans.

5. After living in Britain for twenty years, what does Bill find refreshingly different about the United States?
(a) The weather.
(b) The fashions.
(c) The government.
(d) The informality.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Bryson say about the long trip and back to take his son to college?

2. Why did Bill decide to write "Friendly People?"

3. In "Junk-Food Heaven," according to Bill, what kind of food shopper is his wife?

4. What did Bryson's parents give him for Christmas when he was eight?

5. What does Bryson comment on as being a strange development in the world of exercise?

(see the answer key)

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