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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Bryson, why did a store in Michigan win a case brought against them by a customer?
(a) The store had a right to protect itself from shoplifting
(b) It had a really good lawyer.
(c) The customer had a history of suing every business in town.
(d) The store had a right to hire armed guards

2. After living in Britain for twenty years, what does Bill find refreshingly different about the United States?
(a) The weather.
(b) The fashions.
(c) The government.
(d) The informality.

3. What part of the house does Bill regard as delightful and pretty much the same in every American household?
(a) The attic.
(b) The basement.
(c) The family room.
(d) The laundry room.

4. Bryson nostalgically describes the movie theater where he grew up. Where is his home town?
(a) Des Moines, Iowa.
(b) Richford, Vermont.
(c) Montgomery, Alabama.
(d) Dearborn, Michigan.

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

6. In "Design Flaws," what does Bill complain about, in regards to his computer?
(a) The hard drive.
(b) The keyboard.
(c) The CD player.
(d) The monitor.

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

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

9. Why does Bryson think the cupholder revolution is a bit strange?
(a) People shouldn't be drinking and driving.
(b) Some cars have way more cupholders than capacity for passengers.
(c) The car makers should make better cars and forget the cupholders.
(d) Americans are spoiled and want every little convenience.

10. Bill is amazed that thousands of Americans end up in the emergency rooms every year from using certain things. What are they?
(a) Common household items.
(b) Cars.
(c) Guns.
(d) Snow blowers.

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

12. What disappeared in the north woods of New Hampshire in 1996 and was never found?
(a) A Lear jet.
(b) A van full of illegal aliens.
(c) The Bryson's dog.
(d) A helicopter.

13. Where do Bill and his wife go to celebrate their anniversary?
(a) To an expensive inn in Massachusetts.
(b) To a spa in Connecticut.
(c) To a ski resort in Quebec.
(d) To a fancy restaurant in Vermont.

14. What does Bill say about American sports teams that would never happen in Britain?
(a) The teams have cheerleaders.
(b) The players are all polite.
(c) The players play for small salaries.
(d) A team can move its franchise to a new city.

15. Why does Bill prefer the post offices in the U.S. to the ones in Britain?
(a) The U.S. postal charges are very low.
(b) The U.S. post offices only deal with mail.
(c) Each town has one.
(d) The buildings are clean and new.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. How does Bryson begin "Tales of the North Woods?"

3. How does Bill feel when he goes to a barbershop?

4. What does Bryson think is sad about how things are changing in modern Vermont?

5. In "Dying Accents," what is the name of the man who does carpentry around the Bryson house?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 650 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample