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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What do U.S. post offices do once a year that Bill likes a lot?
(a) Have a charity softball game.
(b) Give customers free stamps.
(c) Give customers free donuts, pastries, and coffee.
(d) Give out door prizes.

2. Although the GDP is seen as a positive in economic terms, how does Bill say it can be negative?
(a) It does not help the poor.
(b) Some of it has to go to other countries.
(c) Production can cause pollution.
(d) It is just too confusing.

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. In "Why Everyone is Worried," which federal agency is not doing a very good job, according to Bryson?
(a) Administration on Aging.
(b) The CIA.
(c) Homeland Security.
(d) The FBI.

10. In "The War on Drugs," what is wrong, according to Bryson, about the penalties for drug possession?
(a) He thinks the laws favor the rich.
(b) He thinks the penalties for drug possession are too harsh.
(c) He thinks the laws favor the poor.
(d) He thinks the penalties should be harsher.

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

12. In the twenty years since Bryson left the United States, by how much have car numbers, roads, and mileage increased?
(a) By two times.
(b) By 100%.
(c) By half.
(d) By 10%.

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

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

15. 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.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where do Bill and his wife go to celebrate their anniversary?

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

3. What does Bill end up doing with all the food he buys at the supermarket?

4. According to Bryson, why are national parks and wilderness areas in the United States overcrowded?

5. Bryson likes his privacy. Where does he especially find there is a lack of privacy in America?

(see the answer keys)

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