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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 Bryson say Americans are very resistant to in the field of energy?
(a) Raising the price of gasoline even slightly.
(b) Using less gasoline.
(c) Driving smaller cars.
(d) Finding alternative sources of energy.

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

3. 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.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

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

2. In "Enough Already," which item comes in 18 varieties in American supermarkets?

3. According to Bryson, what problem does he have with relating to New Englanders?

4. In regards to his son's university education, what is Bryson so shocked about?

5. Bryson says there are three types of stores. The first is where you cannot get anyone to help you, and the second is full of clerks who will not leave you alone. What does he say about the third type?

Short Essay Questions

1. In "Shopping Madness," Bryson says there is a discipline called "retail anthropology." What is it ? What are some of the things it studies?

2. In "Life's Mysteries," Bryson lists a very large number of things that he doesn't understand. What are four of these things?

3. What does Bryson tell the reader about drive-in movies in "At the Drive-In"?

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

5. "Your Tax Form Explained", what does Bryson satirize? Give three examples of how he does this.

6. 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?

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

8. Bryson looks at obesity in "The Fat of the Land." Name three statistics he mentions in relation to obesity.

9. Bryson relates his sad tale of trying to rent a car when he went to the Boston airport in "How to Rent a Car." What are some of the problems he encountered?

10. In "Ah, Summer!" what does Bryson say he likes about summers in New Hampshire? How does he compare them to summers in Iowa?

(see the answer keys)

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