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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. In "Wide-Open Spaces," according to Bryson, who was an idiot?

2. What is Bill's wife's reaction to his new American haircut?

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

4. What does Bill say is a big improvement in America concerning business phone numbers?

5. In "Room Service," what does Bill say the Motel Inn in California is famous for?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. 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.

3. How does Bryson compare late television in the U.S. to late time television in Britain in his "Drug Culture"? What does he say about the American approach to over-the-counter medicine from watching commercials for these products?

4. 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?

5. In "A Visit to the Barbershop," how does Bryson convey that adjusting to the small town barbershop is difficult?

6. "The Cupholder Revolution" details the proliferation of cupholders. What does Bryson have to say about them?

7. 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"?

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

9. How does Bryson support his statement that summer movies "have become so dumb, so very, very dumb" (Essay "Lost at the Movies")?

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

The setting refers to the time and the place where a story takes place. Compare and contrast the settings of "I'm a Stranger Here Myself." How does the United States to which he returns compare to the country he left behind in the 1970's? Cite at least three examples from the book where Bryson discusses how the setting, in reference to time, has changed.

Essay Topic 2

Why do you think Bill Bryson included Essay 69, "An Address to the Graduating Glass of Kimball Union Academy"? What do you think his intent was? Discuss three points of advice that he included in his speech.

Essay Topic 3

To make memoir writing authentic, the author's personal presence must exist. Give five examples where Bill Bryson's personal presence is apparent. Choose two of the examples, and explain why you think he chose to make it so.

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