View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In regards to his son's university education, what is Bryson so shocked about?
(a) How heavy the workload is for undergraduates.
(b) How easy it is to get in.
(c) The cost of it.
(d) That his son would live in a co-ed dorm.

2. What word associated with Christmas does Bryson wonder about at the beginning of "The Mysteries of Christmas"?
(a) A-wassailing.
(b) Merry.
(c) Yule.
(d) Noel.

3. When Bryson had his first book published, what did his publisher send him to?
(a) A speech coach to get rid of his accent.
(b) A course in media training.
(c) The largest book store in New York for a book signing.
(d) A resort to recover from his first book tour.

4. What did Bryson's parents give him for Christmas when he was eight?
(a) A chemistry set.
(b) Skis.
(c) Skates.
(d) A doll.

5. What is Bryson satirizing in "Your New Computer"?
(a) Computer stores.
(b) Computer manuals.
(c) Bill Gates.
(d) Computer salespeople.

6. According to Bryson, which of his sons might one day become a libel lawyer?
(a) Tim.
(b) Jimmy.
(c) Tommy.
(d) Joey.

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

8. What do the British celebrate on December 26th?
(a) Boxing Day.
(b) St. Paul's Day.
(c) Epiphany.
(d) Little Christmas.

9. In "The Best American Holiday," what does Bryson say about his mother?
(a) She was a great cook.
(b) Once a year, for Thanksgiving, she'd make a great meal.
(c) She tried, but the Thanksgiving meal was always a failure.
(d) She had Thanksgiving catered.

10. What was Bryson disappointed about on his book tours?
(a) The waiting in stores for people to show up.
(b) Hotel room service.
(c) Interviewers who knew nothing about his book.
(d) That he had to sign so many books.

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

12. In "How to Rent a Car," what does Bryson find especially frustrating about the process?
(a) How and where to drop it off.
(b) The mileage charges.
(c) The options he is offered.
(d) The limits on passengers.

13. According to Bryson, what is the result of the "abundance of choice" in America?
(a) A lot of time wasted.
(b) A lot of happy people.
(c) A simple way of life.
(d) A lot of rich business owners.

14. Which American business name mystifies Bryson?
(a) Toys R Us.
(b) Burger King.
(c) IHOP.
(d) Dunkin' Donuts.

15. Why is Bryson not impressed with the spell checker on his computer?
(a) It doesn't recognize surnames.
(b) It often just does not work at all.
(c) It only displays in red.
(d) It doesn't recognize nonstandard spelling.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Bryson have to buy a whole new computer and fax system when he returns to the United States?

2. What does Bryson hate about Christmas?

3. What does Bryson say about the New England summers?

4. How many "new" consumer products does Bryson say are launched every year in the United States?

5. Why was Bryson unhappy about a flight he and his family took from Minneapolis?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 581 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample