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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What was something that Bryson's mother tended to forget?
(a) Driving directions.
(b) Where she put her keys.
(c) Her kids' birthdays.
(d) The safe combination.

2. What unusual physical characteristic did Bryson's uncle have?
(a) One blue eye and one green eye.
(b) A streak of white hair in his black hair.
(c) A hole in his throat.
(d) A peg leg.

3. Bryson recalled a day in August of ____________ when he went on an outing with a friend and his family.
(a) 1959.
(b) 1964.
(c) 1945.
(d) 1972.

4. Where did the Brysons visit during their trip to the state in #59?
(a) The Empire State Building.
(b) Disneyland.
(c) Universal Studios.
(d) The White House.

5. The hydrogen bomb could have ignited all the ____________ in the world.
(a) carbon dioxide.
(b) plutonium.
(c) helium.
(d) oxygen.

6. Who was the girl in Bryson's neighborhood that everyone wanted to see naked?
(a) Susie MacKenzie.
(b) Carolyn Westfall.
(c) Cheryl Meyers.
(d) Mary O'Leary.

7. What was an insect that rose from the ground and could fly up someone's shorts?
(a) Cicada.
(b) Lightning bug.
(c) Mosquito.
(d) Wasp.

8. What was the repercussion of underground bomb tests?
(a) Destroyed phone lines.
(b) Huge craters.
(c) Earthquakes.
(d) Sunken mines.

9. What craft looked like fun at first but ended up being messy and frustrating?
(a) Building models.
(b) Creepy Crawlers.
(c) Play-Doh.
(d) Paint by Numbers.

10. Who did a huge belly flop off the diving board while on the outing?
(a) Mr. Milton.
(b) Milton Milton.
(c) Bryson.
(d) Chuck.

11. What was the area set apart in the grocery where kids could read while their parents shopped?
(a) Tot Shop.
(b) Little Library.
(c) Kiddie Corral.
(d) Little Shoppers.

12. What was the name of the store where Bryson bought penny candy?
(a) Major's.
(b) Grund's.
(c) The Candy Shoppe.
(d) Sweet Sue's.

13. Who led a movement in trying to identify the element in #95?
(a) Joseph McCarthy.
(b) Hubert Humphrey.
(c) George McGovern.
(d) Merv Griffen.

14. Why did Bryson think he would never get to visit the location in #55?
(a) His father was cheap.
(b) His mother said the rides were not safe.
(c) He was too old.
(d) It was too far away.

15. What was a popular spot for kids to play in in the 1950s?
(a) Basements.
(b) Alleys.
(c) Vacant lots.
(d) Pool halls.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Bryson name the green jersey with the golden thunderbolt on the chest?

2. Who was the Thunderbolt Kid?

3. What did Bryson's mother serve at every meal even though Bryson did not like it?

4. Who was the doctor who made a house call to tend to Bryson's head injury?

5. What did Bryson say was a myth about childhood?

(see the answer keys)

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