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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. What does Bill say is a big improvement in America concerning business phone numbers?
2. Bryson finds summer blockbuster movies annoying, but what does he have a real problem with?
3. In "Consuming Pleasures," what does Bill say about shopping in America?
4. How does Bill feel when he goes to a barbershop?
5. What does Bill say that he has to remember about going into restaurants?
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. 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?
4. In "Rule Number 1: Follow All Rules,"what does Bryson use as an example of a rule that must be followed in America? How does he compare the devotion to order in the U.S. and Britain?
5. Why does Bryson hate calling the computer helpline, as he outlines in "Help!"? How does he react to hotlines in general?
6. In "A Visit to the Barbershop," how does Bryson convey that adjusting to the small town barbershop is difficult?
7. "The Cupholder Revolution" details the proliferation of cupholders. What does Bryson have to say about them?
8. What does Bryson, who admits he "is no stranger to sloth," say about the walking habits of Americans in Essay 26, "Why No One Walks"?
9. 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?
10. What does Bryson say about regional accents in America in the 1990s in "Dying Accents"?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Define what is meant by "style" in writing. Discuss what kind of style is used in traditional nonfiction, creative nonfiction, and novels. Which style was used in the writing of "I'm a Stranger Here Myself"? Support your answer with four examples.
Essay Topic 2
What are some techniques Bill Bryson uses to make the real events of his life back in the United States come alive? Illustrate with one or two examples for each technique.
Essay Topic 3
State the theme of "I'm a Stranger Here Myself." How is the theme of the story reflected in the conflicts and challenges Bill Bryson experiences when he returns to America? Discuss four examples from the narrative.
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This section contains 1,252 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) |
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