View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the following did Bryson see at Surfer's Paradise?

2. Bryson pointed out that Australia's ______________ promote(s) specialization in species.

3. For what is Myall Creek famous?

4. What was the name of the seventeen-foot crocodile Bryson and Sherwin saw in a museum in Darwin?

5. The boulders at Devil's Marbles measure _________________ feet across.

Short Essay Questions

1. How has the Aborigine population dwindled from the time Europeans arrived to colonize Australia?

2. What unusual trees are important to Australia and where did Bryson walk among the tree tops?

3. Describe Bryson and Sherwin's adventure at the Great Barrier Reef.

4. What rock formation fascinated both Bryson and Sherwin?

5. What famous tree did Bryson and Sherwin see in the town of Daly Waters?

6. Bryson visited Glenrowan and learned about which famous outlaw?

7. What was unique about the worms Bryson saw in a small museum?

8. Describe the Devils Marbles.

9. How did Bryson and Sherwin spend their time while waiting out the monsoon in Cairns?

10. What did Bryson learn from a journalist about the Myall Creek incident and how it is not even noted by most people?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bryson is masterful at crafting literary descriptions for his readers. Choose a paragraph from the book which you find especially descriptive. How do you think Bryson was able to craft it the way he did? What is so appealing to you about the passage? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Create a "character" sketch of the city of Canberra. 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 Canberra? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Give some examples of humor in the book. Do you think Bryson appreciates slapstick humor or wit of a more sophisticated nature or both? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,013 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample