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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 find in the bottom of his refrigerator, a left over from his junk-food shopping with his wife?

2. What does Bryson find amazing about the geography of the United States?

3. What is one activity that Bill is happy to return to in America?

4. In "The War on Drugs," what is wrong, according to Bryson, about the penalties for drug possession?

5. What is one complaint Bryson has about the small towns around him?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. 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?

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. 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.

6. "Tales of the North Woods" tells the reader something about the wilder side of New Hampshire, Bryson's new home state. What information does he share with the reader about the wilderness of New Hampshire?

7. Why does Bryson hate calling the computer helpline, as he outlines in "Help!"? How does he react to hotlines in general?

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

9. What comparison does Bryson make between American baseball and English cricket in "Take Me Out to the Ballpark"?

10. Bryson calls America "the ultimate shopping paradise" in "Consuming Pleasures." How does he support this statement?

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, novels, and creative nonfiction. Which style was used in the writing of "I'm a Stranger Here Myself?" Support your answer with four examples.

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

What role does the Bryson family play in the memoir "I'm a Stranger Here Myself"? Are they as important to the narrative as the author and the environment? Give four examples where the other members of the family are central to the story-telling. Give four examples where the narrative is focused only on Bill and the community/the United States.

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