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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Bryson, when was the first official Thanksgiving held in the United States?
(a) In September of 1922.
(b) In October of 1640.
(c) In August of 1863.
(d) In November of 1864.

2. What is the main point Bryson is making in "Your Tax Form Explained"?
(a) Paying taxes is unavoidable.
(b) It is easy to understand.
(c) No one should try to fill out a tax return.
(d) That it is very confusing.

3. In "A Slight Inconvenience," what does Bryson say about drive-through windows in restaurants?
(a) They save people a lot of time.
(b) That people will spend more time in line than if they went in.
(c) They are unsanitary.
(d) They are inefficient.

4. What February holiday does Bryson say is new to him on his return to the United States?
(a) Groundhog Day.
(b) Valentine's Day.
(c) President's Day.
(d) Family Day.

5. In "The Great Indoors," what does Bryson say people in America have developed a dislike of?
(a) Fresh air.
(b) Law and order.
(c) Multi-grain bread.
(d) Coffee.

6. According to Bryson, what does the Travel Industry Association of America say about shopping?
(a) Without it, the American economy would crash.
(b) The Grand Canyon needs a mall.
(c) It is the number one holiday activity of Americans.
(d) Americans should shop more, not less.

7. When looking for a place to live in the United States, what was the only thing Bryson liked about Adams, Massachusetts?
(a) It had a wonderful old-fashioned diner.
(b) The people there.
(c) The library.
(d) All the houses were built before 1950.

8. Why does Bryson have to buy a whole new computer and fax system when he returns to the United States?
(a) He'd never owned a computer but now needed one for work.
(b) All his electronics got lost on the way.
(c) The British have a different electrical system.
(d) His kids were tired of using the family's 1980s model.

9. What does Bryson say the reason might be for being bewildered with modern television?
(a) His eyesight and hearing are failing.
(b) He cannot follow the plot lines of the cop shows.
(c) His kids like to watch a lot of shows that are just junk.
(d) In the America of his youth, and in England, there were only 4 channels.

10. What does Bryson hate about Christmas?
(a) The expense.
(b) Buying gifts.
(c) The music.
(d) Getting the decorations out of the attic.

11. What is Bryson's opinion of book tours?
(a) They are kind of fun.
(b) They are boring.
(c) They are very educational.
(d) They are a waste of time.

12. What is Bryson astonished to find on his plane on a flight from Boston to Denver?
(a) A chimpanzee.
(b) An inflated dinghy.
(c) Am armed guard.
(d) An entire hockey team.

13. What is Bryson's opinion about most American lawyers, according to "So Sue Me"?
(a) They know the legal system very well.
(b) They overcharge for everything.
(c) They are honest.
(d) They know very little about the legal system.

14. As Bryson was writing, which American President was suing the government for loss of earnings?
(a) George W. Bush.
(b) Bill Clinton.
(c) Jimmy Carter.
(d) Richard Nixon.

15. Which American tourist attraction does Bryson describe as a "Total Indoor Environment"?
(a) Las Vegas.
(b) Opryland.
(c) Yellowstone Park.
(d) Disney World.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "The Flying Nightmare," what job does Bryson say his father had?

2. Where does Mrs. Bryson like to go in the summer that Bill can definitely live without?

3. According to Bryson, which of his sons might one day become a libel lawyer?

4. What does Bryson like to do when he picks up his mail on winter mornings?

5. What does Bryson find the most "mind-numbing" feature of modern television?

(see the answer keys)

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