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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Bill miss about television in Britain?
(a) No commercials.
(b) Good news programs.
(c) A late night university program with free courses.
(d) A lot of good comedy shows.

2. What does Bryson think is sad about how things are changing in modern Vermont?
(a) There are too many Canadians there.
(b) Pollution is increasing.
(c) More people now are born outside the state.
(d) The weather is warming up.

3. What is one way Bryson says New Hampshire residents might die that would not happen in Britain?
(a) Flying their own plane.
(b) Crashing their car into a moose.
(c) Getting swine flu.
(d) Swimming in the ocean.

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

5. Why does Bryson think the cupholder revolution is a bit strange?
(a) Some cars have way more cupholders than capacity for passengers.
(b) Americans are spoiled and want every little convenience.
(c) The car makers should make better cars and forget the cupholders.
(d) People shouldn't be drinking and driving.

Short Answer Questions

1. How many children do the Brysons have?

2. What disappeared in the north woods of New Hampshire in 1996 and was never found?

3. Why did Bill decide to write "Friendly People?"

4. Bryson nostalgically describes the movie theater where he grew up. Where is his home town?

5. What event in America is starting up as Bill begins writing his columns for his British audience?

Short Essay Questions

1. In "The Inefficiency Report," Bryson says "Our subject today is large-scale incompetence in my native land." Give some examples of what he believes are areas of incompetence in 1990s America.

2. Bryson has a nostalgic look at motels in "Room Service." How does he compare and contrast older motels with those of the mid 1990's?

3. In "The Numbers Game," Bryson expresses his amazement at the large numbers that are quoted by American government agencies. What does he say about the use of such large numbers?

4. Bryson finds the lack of privacy in America to be a problem. List three examples of this problem that he cites in "Snoopers at Work."

5. In "The Risk Factor," how does Bryson explain that the average American is twice as likely to die accidentally as the average Briton?

6. Bryson relates how his attitude to the informality and familiarity in American life seemed an irritant when he returned to the United States. For Essay 19, "Number Please," relate some of the ways he has encountered this informality in America.

7. What information about household accidents in America does Bryson give the reader in "Well, Doctor. I was Just Trying to Lie Down..."? Where did he find his information?

8. In "The War on Drugs," what examples does Bryson give to prove his belief about American drug laws being unfair?

9. "Friendly People" begins with Mrs. Bryson telling Bill that all he did in his columns was make negative comments about the United States. He goes on to say there are a lot of things he likes about America. What are some of those things?

10. In "How to Have Fun at Home,"which household conveniences are high on Bill's approval list? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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