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

2. How many "new" consumer products does Bryson say are launched every year in the United States?
(a) 25,000.
(b) 250,000.
(c) 2,000.
(d) 2 million.

3. What is Bryson's observations on the conveniences of life in America in the 1990s?
(a) He wishes England had more conveniences.
(b) They need to be banned.
(c) They are not necessarily better, but people think they are.
(d) They are the best improvement he came home to.

4. How is "Your Tax Form Explained" structured?
(a) It is the actual tax form Bryson submitted.
(b) It is a mock tax instruction sheet.
(c) It runs backwards.
(d) It is in a nonsense language.

5. What does Bill say is a new shopping experience for him on his return to America?
(a) Outlet malls.
(b) Personal service.
(c) Money-back guarantees.
(d) Shopping insurance.

Short Answer Questions

1. How did Bryson describe his first run on a snowmobile?

2. What does Bill miss about television in Britain?

3. In "On Losing a Son," why does Bryson decide to play baseball with his youngest child?

4. Why does Bill feel going to a restaurant is a discouraging experience?

5. What is Bryson satirizing in "Your New Computer"?

(see the answer key)

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