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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 animal got trapped in the Bryson house soon after the family moved in?
(a) A skunk.
(b) The neighbor's cat.
(c) A squirrel.
(d) A rat.

2. 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.

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

4. How much energy does Bryson say the average American uses compared to the average European?
(a) Half as much.
(b) Three times as much.
(c) Twice as much.
(d) Just slightly more.

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

Short Answer Questions

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

2. Which American tourist attraction does Bryson describe as a "Total Indoor Environment"?

3. How is "Your Tax Form Explained" structured?

4. What was Bryson disappointed about on his book tours?

5. What is Bryson's observations on the conveniences of life in America in the 1990s?

Short Essay Questions

1. Bryson titled "The Waste Generation". Give three examples of why he thinks the generation of Americans in the 1990s is a wasteful one.

2. In "Hail to the Chief," Bryson looks at the American holiday of Presidents Day. Give three points about the day that Bryson mentions.

3. "The Myteries of Christmas" compares American Christmases and English Christmases. How does Bryson compare the two holidays?

4. In "The Flying Nightmare," Bryson compares modern air travel with air travel from his youth in the 1960s and 70s. List three points he makes.

5. Find three examples from "The Great Indoors" that Bryson cites as reasons he thinks Americans spend too much time indoors.

6. In "The Wasteland," what is Bryson criticizing? Name three points of his criticism.

7. Bryson explains the joys of living in a snowy climate in "Fun in the Snow." How does he give the reader the impression that he is not a natural athlete?

8. In "Enough Already," Bryson says there is just too much of everything in America (except time, money, good plumbers, and polite people). What examples does he give to back this up? Why does he think it is not a good thing?

9. In "On Losing a Son," what does Bryson say his main activities are as a father sending his son off to college?

10. "The Best American Holiday," Bryson explains why he loves Thanksgiving so much. List three things that he enthuses about the holiday.

(see the answer keys)

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