View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What mistake did Bill make that made him realize that he, along with many others, needs product guidance?
(a) He left his bank card in the ATM.
(b) He put his shoes on the wrong feet.
(c) He injured himself with his letter opener.
(d) He bought some tobacco and then put it in the mailbox.

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

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

5. What particular product in American supermarkets fascinates Bill?
(a) Laundry soap.
(b) Cereal.
(c) Meat.
(d) Pet food.

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

7. How do 40,000 Americans die a year, according to Bryson?
(a) By falling under trains.
(b) By gunshot wounds.
(c) By contracting hepatitis.
(d) By accidents on construction sites.

8. What trait does Bill admit that he has in regards to simple everyday activities?
(a) He is perfect at everything he does.
(b) He is absentminded.
(c) He never forgets anything.
(d) He is clumsy.

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

10. What does Bill hate about flying now that he is back in the U.S.?
(a) The price of tickets.
(b) The snacks are terrible.
(c) Having to show photo identification at the airport.
(d) No meals are served.

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

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

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

14. What is one activity that Bill is happy to return to in America?
(a) Paying taxes.
(b) Football.
(c) Baseball.
(d) Shopping.

15. What does Bill find strange about some U.S. commercials?
(a) They have laugh tracks.
(b) They advertise personal hygiene products.
(c) They cannot show cigarettes.
(d) They can be 5 minutes long.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "Junk-Food Heaven," according to Bill, what kind of food shopper is his wife?

2. In "How to Have Fun at Home," why does Bill think having your groceries bagged for you is not so great?

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

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

5. According to Bill, what product do Americans regard much differently than the British?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 656 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample