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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. Which American tourist attraction does Bryson describe as a "Total Indoor Environment"?

2. According to Bryson, what is the result of the "abundance of choice" in America?

3. In "On Losing a Son," why does Bryson decide to play baseball with his youngest child?

4. According to Bryson, which man from his childhood state deserves more credit in American history?

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

2. 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?

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

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

5. "Book Tours", Bryson talks about his fondness for book tours. Why does he like them?

6. In "The Flying Nightmare," Bryson compares modern air travel with air travel from his youth in the 1960s and 70s. List three points he makes.

7. 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?

8. Find three examples from "The Great Indoors" that Bryson cites as reasons he thinks Americans spend too much time indoors.

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

10. In "Hail to the Chief," Bryson looks at the American holiday of Presidents Day. Give three points about the day that Bryson mentions.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

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

Humor is an element of memoir writing that is often employed by authors. Why is it used? How can it enhance a memoir? What two types of humor does Bryson use in "I'm a Stranger Here Myself"? Give four examples of Bill Bryson's use of humor where you feel the pace and the theme of "I'm a Stranger Here Myself" has been enhanced by its use.

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