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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. The devastation of vegetation by Austin's rabbits was followed by ________________.

2. What type of animals did Thomas Austin unleash to hunt for sport?

3. The town of Cowra is famous for a mass breakout of ____________ prisoners during World War II.

4. What sport did Bryson make fun of in the book?

5. What was Bryson's destination city?

Short Essay Questions

1. To what did Bryson compare the lush Barossa Valley?

2. Who was James Cook and when did he set foot in Australia?

3. What two venues had Bryson wanted to visit in Adelaide but could not?

4. What fun did Bryson have with the world's biggest lobster?

5. What is the most recognizable feature in Sydney and what was Bryson's personal favorite?

6. What was the focus of Bryson's driving trip along the Boomerang Coast?

7. On what did Bryson tend to focus on while walking through Sydney and Canberra?

8. What was Bryson's former experience in Australia and what were his plans for this trip?

9. How did Bryson and Hart travel through the desert and what historical thoughts did Bryson provide the reader during this time?

10. What self deprecating behavior of Adelaide residents bothered Bryson?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At times it seemed as if Bryson were more interested in places and history than in the people he met in Australia. Why was Bryson in a fact-finding mode for this book? Were the people distractions to his true work? What is your opinion on how Bryson approached his method for digging for information to include in his book?

Essay Topic 2

Bryson had respect for all of the people in the book but do you think he likes any one of them more than the others? Who would you choose to be your new friend among the people Bryson introduced in the book. Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Create a "character" sketch of the city of Melbourne. What personality shines through for you for this city? Did Bryson make you want to learn more and perhaps visit one day? What would you most like to see? What is the one fact or interesting feature that you can recall about Melbourne? Explain.

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