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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. In "Consuming Pleasures," what does Bill say about shopping in America?
(a) Everything must be bought in person.
(b) You can buy almost anything.
(c) It is a boring and tedious activity.
(d) There is underproduction of goods.

2. What does Bill say it would take over 31,000 years to do?
(a) Make the tax system fair.
(b) Travel to Mars and back.
(c) Count a trillion dollars.
(d) Pay off the national debt.

3. Why did Bill decide to write "Friendly People?"
(a) Because his wife told him all he did was complain in his columns.
(b) Because he thought it would be funny.
(c) Because he had to make good on a bet.
(d) Because his editor wanted him to.

4. What particular product in American supermarkets fascinates Bill?
(a) Cereal.
(b) Meat.
(c) Laundry soap.
(d) Pet food.

5. What did Bryson's parents give him for Christmas when he was eight?
(a) Skates.
(b) Skis.
(c) A chemistry set.
(d) A doll.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Bryson find the most "mind-numbing" feature of modern television?

2. In the twenty years since Bryson left the United States, by how much have car numbers, roads, and mileage increased?

3. After living in Britain for twenty years, what does Bill find refreshingly different about the United States?

4. What does Bryson like to do when he picks up his mail on winter mornings?

5. What is Bryson astonished to find on his plane on a flight from Boston to Denver?

(see the answer key)

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