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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

3. How does Bryson begin "Tales of the North Woods?"
(a) He talks about a college student who left a party and died in the woods.
(b) He talks about shoveling snow.
(c) He talks about using a snowmobile.
(d) He talks about the town that disappeared, and no one has found it.

4. Why does Bill feel going to a restaurant is a discouraging experience?
(a) He's a vegan.
(b) He manages to antagonize the waitress.
(c) He hates the high prices.
(d) He's a picky eater.

5. What does Bill Bryson like about his new home town?
(a) It has great shopping.
(b) It has a great college.
(c) It is close to Boston.
(d) It is a suburb.

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

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

8. What New Hampshire town did the Bryson family settle in during 1995?
(a) Manchester.
(b) Concord.
(c) Hanover.
(d) Colebrook.

9. Why doesn't Bryson like gardening with his wife?
(a) She screams if she sees any insects.
(b) She is English and thus an expert gardener.
(c) He has to do all the work.
(d) She expects him to garden for hours at a time.

10. How does Bill feel when he goes to a barbershop?
(a) Helpless and insecure.
(b) Happy tot talk to someone with sense.
(c) Like he is going to empty his wallet.
(d) He can get caught up on his reading.

11. Why does Bryson have an issue with the Internet?
(a) People can glean personal information about others.
(b) It's making people anti-social.
(c) It's unreliable.
(d) It's expensive.

12. What does Bill like about having a college as part of he town he lives in?
(a) His kids can go there for free.
(b) He and his family can use their facilities.
(c) It keeps the taxes down.
(d) It has snob appeal.

13. According to Bill, what product do Americans regard much differently than the British?
(a) Cars.
(b) Pet food.
(c) Over-the-counter drugs.
(d) Clothing.

14. What British sport does Bill find dull but restful?
(a) Soccer.
(b) Rounders.
(c) Cricket.
(d) Polo.

15. What does Bill find to be a difficult adjustment for him when he returns to the U.S.?
(a) He left as a young man and came back middle-aged.
(b) He cannot find what he wants in the stores.
(c) He finds it very noisy.
(d) He has forgotten American English.

Short Answer Questions

1. What mistake did Bill make that made him realize that he, along with many others, needs product guidance?

2. In "Wide-Open Spaces," according to Bryson, who was an idiot?

3. What is one activity that Bill is happy to return to in America?

4. What do U.S. post offices do once a year that Bill likes a lot?

5. What American kitchen convenience does Bill think is just wonderful?

(see the answer keys)

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