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| Name: _________________________ | Period: ___________________ |
This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. Who does Bryson say designed the snowmobile?
2. What do the British celebrate on December 26th?
3. In "Drowning in Red Tape," what is Bryson frustrated about acquiring for his wife?
4. According to Bryson, what is the result of the "abundance of choice" in America?
5. Where does Mrs. Bryson like to go in the summer that Bill can definitely live without?
Short Essay Questions
1. 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?
2. Find three examples from "The Great Indoors" that Bryson cites as reasons he thinks Americans spend too much time indoors.
3. In "Deck the Halls," Bryson tells his readers that he is not looking forward to Christmas decorating. Why is this?
4. In "Lost in Cyberland," what kind of adventures does Bryson have with technology in America?
5. In "Hail to the Chief," Bryson looks at the American holiday of Presidents Day. Give three points about the day that Bryson mentions.
6. "The Myteries of Christmas" compares American Christmases and English Christmases. How does Bryson compare the two holidays?
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. "The Best American Holiday," Bryson explains why he loves Thanksgiving so much. List three things that he enthuses about the holiday.
9. In "Life's Mysteries," Bryson lists a very large number of things that he doesn't understand. What are four of these things?
10. In "A Day at the Seaside," what does Mrs. Bryson suggest the family do? How does Bill react to this?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
An anecdote can be defined as an interesting or humorous telling of an incident. It is often used in writing. As a memoir, "I'm a Stranger Here Myself" is structured as a collection of anecdotes in essay format. The author has chosen a number of incidents relating to his return to the United States. He weaves them together into a coherent whole that results in a memoir. Define an anecdote. What characteristics does it have? How does Bryson structure his anecdotes? Citing one of his anecdotes from "I'm a Stranger Here Myself," show how he structures the beginning, middle, and ending of his anecdotes.
Essay Topic 2
"I'm a Stranger Here Myself" is a first person narrative, told from Bill Bryson's point-of-view. Briefly explain how the first person narrative is effective and how it is limited. Give four specific examples that show how the memoir is effectively told from Bill Bryson's point of view. How is our vicarious experience enhanced by Bryson's choice of first person?
Essay Topic 3
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.
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This section contains 1,571 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) |
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