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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When Bryson takes his family to one of the last drive-ins in the area, what is the experience like?
(a) Not fun at all.
(b) The audio had improved greatly since the 1970s.
(c) The kids hated it, the adults loved it.
(d) It was amazing.

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

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

4. What does Bryson mean by the "wasteland"?
(a) Canadian comedy shows.
(b) News programming.
(c) The huge variety of television programs available.
(d) Commercials.

5. How is "Your Tax Form Explained" structured?
(a) It is a mock tax instruction sheet.
(b) It is the actual tax form Bryson submitted.
(c) It is in a nonsense language.
(d) It runs backwards.

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

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

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

9. What do New Englanders call the tourists who come to New England in the fall?
(a) Leaf peepers.
(b) Leaf lovers.
(c) Tree huggers.
(d) Tree crazies.

10. What is Bryson's observations on the conveniences of life in America in the 1990s?
(a) They are not necessarily better, but people think they are.
(b) They are the best improvement he came home to.
(c) They need to be banned.
(d) He wishes England had more conveniences.

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

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

13. According to Bryson, what problem does he have with relating to New Englanders?
(a) They never want any "alone time."
(b) They don't trust people who read books.
(c) They never watch television.
(d) They love winter and winter sports.

14. What does Bryson say about computer energy consumption at the beginning of "The Waste Generation"?
(a) That computer manufacturers could fix the high consumption very easily.
(b) That a lot of energy is consumed by computers left on at night.
(c) That computer users need to be educated.
(d) That computer use should be restricted to a few hours a day.

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

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What does Bryson fondly remember about highway travel when he was a boy?

3. What does Bryson say Americans are very resistant to in the field of energy?

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

5. Bryson and his wife see their son off to a university. Where is the university?

(see the answer keys)

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