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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) Outlet malls.
(b) Personal service.
(c) Money-back guarantees.
(d) Shopping insurance.

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

3. What does Bryson find amazing about the geography of the United States?
(a) That there is very little variety.
(b) That it is smaller than Canada.
(c) That so much of the country is empty of people.
(d) That the United States has no Arctic region.

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

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

6. 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) The customer had a history of suing every business in town.
(c) The store had a right to hire armed guards
(d) It had a really good lawyer.

7. Why did Bill decide to write "Friendly People?"
(a) Because he thought it would be funny.
(b) Because his editor wanted him to.
(c) Because his wife told him all he did was complain in his columns.
(d) Because he had to make good on a bet.

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

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

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

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

12. What is one complaint Bryson has about the small towns around him?
(a) There are no libraries.
(b) That he can't find a decent dentist.
(c) That everyone uses their car to get around.
(d) That people are rude.

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

14. 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 accidentally.
(c) Die in childbirth.
(d) Die is hospital.

15. What does Bill say is a strange feature of their car?
(a) The steering wheel is heated.
(b) It has no cup holders.
(c) There is an indentation on the dashboard with no obvious use.
(d) It dispenses ice.

Short Answer Questions

1. Bill says the GDP is very hard to measure in modern times. What does GDP stand for?

2. What does Bill find to be a difficult adjustment for him when he returns to the U.S.?

3. What does Bryson call the expression his wife wears when she is ready for serious gardening?

4. What part of the house does Bill regard as delightful and pretty much the same in every American household?

5. Although the GDP is seen as a positive in economic terms, how does Bill say it can be negative?

(see the answer keys)

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