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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. How does Bill explain the popularity of motel chains in America?
(a) The chains are clean and efficient.
(b) People want the same thing wherever they go.
(c) Privately owned ones are expensive.
(d) Good marketing.

2. What does Bryson find the most "mind-numbing" feature of modern television?
(a) The same shows are shown over and over.
(b) There are too many so-called experts on too many talk shows.
(c) There are so many good programs and not enough time to watch them.
(d) The commercial breaks.

3. What do New Englanders call the tourists who come to New England in the fall?
(a) Leaf peepers.
(b) Tree huggers.
(c) Tree crazies.
(d) Leaf lovers.

4. According to Bryson, what is lacking in his New Hampshire town?
(a) Intelligent people.
(b) Crime.
(c) Pollution.
(d) Good entertainment.

5. What does Bill say is a big improvement in America concerning business phone numbers?
(a) Business calls cannot be made into people's homes.
(b) They are preprogrammed on everyone's phone.
(c) The 1-800 numbers are easy to remember.
(d) They are only four-digits.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "The Numbers Game," what does Bill say is beyond the comprehension of everyone?

2. In "How to Rent a Car," what does Bryson find especially frustrating about the process?

3. What does Bryson mean by the "wasteland"?

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

5. What is one complaint Bryson has about the small towns around him?

(see the answer key)

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