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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 do the British celebrate on December 26th?
(a) St. Paul's Day.
(b) Little Christmas.
(c) Boxing Day.
(d) Epiphany.

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

3. In "Highway Diversions," how does Bryson like to pass the time when he is driving on the highway?
(a) By reading the slogans on license plates.
(b) By yelling at other drivers.
(c) By counting the red cars.
(d) By making up songs about the towns they pass.

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

5. In "On Losing a Son," why does Bryson decide to play baseball with his youngest child?
(a) He wants him to learn an American sport.
(b) He is tired of working on his writing.
(c) He realizes the little boy is growing up.
(d) He thinks the boy has a chance to be professional.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Bill say is a strange feature of their car?

2. In "Death Watch," what does Bryson dislike because they are "cold and bouncy and make odd noises."?

3. What movie is Bryson describing at the beginning of "The Wasteland"?

4. Bryson compares modern airplanes to _______________.

5. What does Bill say it would take over 31,000 years to do?

(see the answer key)

This section contains 310 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample