View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Bryson finds summer blockbuster movies annoying, but what does he have a real problem with?
(a) The large cinema complexes.
(b) The cost of popcorn.
(c) The cost of admission.
(d) The behavior of children at the movie.

2. What does Bill discuss at the beginning of his essay on design flaws?
(a) His daughter's jewelry.
(b) His wife's clothing.
(c) His son's running shoes.
(d) His son's jeans.

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

4. What does Bryson say that all New Englanders do?
(a) Smoke.
(b) Get up early.
(c) Gamble.
(d) Talk a lot.

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

6. What does Bill tell the reader about crime in New Hampshire?
(a) Petty crime is a problem in the rural areas.
(b) There is no death penalty.
(c) Serious crime is on the increase.
(d) There were only four murders in the last reporting year.

7. What does Bryson call the expression his wife wears when she is ready for serious gardening?
(a) Her Pepsi expression.
(b) Her Nike expression.
(c) Her Adidas expression.
(d) Her Gatorade expression.

8. What is one way Bryson says New Hampshire residents might die that would not happen in Britain?
(a) Getting swine flu.
(b) Swimming in the ocean.
(c) Crashing their car into a moose.
(d) Flying their own plane.

9. In "The Numbers Game," what does Bill say is beyond the comprehension of everyone?
(a) How much money huge sums really represent.
(b) How tax money is spent.
(c) Why government workers get so many holidays.
(d) How the government manages to get anything done.

10. What does Bill find in the bottom of his refrigerator, a left over from his junk-food shopping with his wife?
(a) Lettuce.
(b) Popsicles.
(c) Toaster tarts.
(d) Breakfast pizza.

11. What does Bill say is ridiculous about a VCR?
(a) It costs so much.
(b) It can record twelve months in advance.
(c) It is being replaced by a DVD player.
(d) It has no remote.

12. In "The Risk Factor," what does Bryson say an American is twice as likely to do as a British person?
(a) Die of cancer.
(b) Die in childbirth.
(c) Die is hospital.
(d) Die accidentally.

13. What American kitchen convenience does Bill think is just wonderful?
(a) The garbage disposal.
(b) The dishwasher.
(c) The blender.
(d) The microwave.

14. What does Bill say that he has to remember about going into restaurants?
(a) You need to show identification.
(b) They don't sell alcoholic drinks in the local eateries.
(c) He has to remove his baseball cap.
(d) To wait to be seated.

15. In "Room Service," what does Bill say the Motel Inn in California is famous for?
(a) Being the first to use the word "motel."
(b) Being built over buried treasure.
(c) Being used in a lot of movies.
(d) Being owned by Zorro.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Bryson, why did a store in Michigan win a case brought against them by a customer?

2. What British sport does Bill find dull but restful?

3. What product first reveals the popularity of toll-free hotline phone numbers to Bill?

4. What does Bill find strange about some U.S. commercials?

5. How does Bill explain the popularity of motel chains in America?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 586 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample