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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. Who tasted the albino Lincoln Logs?

2. Who was Bryson's friend who lived across the alley and had good toys?

3. What did boys charge other boys for once they discovered them?

4. Why did Bryson think that Sunday mornings were too long?

5. What was the main street of Bryson's hometown?

Short Essay Questions

1. What were the results of the hydrogen bombs dropped by the United States in 1952 and 1954?

2. What were the results on children of the U.S. bomb testings and what happened when the tests were moved underground?

3. How did Bryson describe Des Moines and the area of the city where he lived?

4. What sorts of things did Bryson and other kids do to help pass the long days?

5. What particular times were especially long for kids?

6. What form of exercise did Bryson's father like to practice and what was an unusual location for his exercise routine?

7. Name some of the things that showed that life was simpler and safer in the 1950s.

8. What behaviors did teenagers exhibit in the 1950s?

9. Who was The Thunderbolt Kid?

10. How did the Thunderbolt Kid get his powers and what were the circumstances of the Thunderbolt Kid getting his costume?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a character study of Bryson's parents. What were their physical characteristics? What were their motivations? What were their fears? What were their dreams? What else can you say about Bryson's parents?

Essay Topic 2

Explain Bryson's childhood growing up in Des Moines, Iowa, in the 1950s. What was his family life like? Who were his friends? What were his school experiences? How did these people and experiences form him into the adult he became?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the overall settings for the book. What is important about each setting as it is revealed? What are the time periods of the stories? How important are the time periods to the attitudes and issues of the people?

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This section contains 1,089 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample