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. About what decade of American life did Bryson write in this book?

2. For what characteristic was Bryson's father known?

3. Why did Bryson hate going to the dentist?

4. Why could men and boys not see the magazine in #78?

5. What precaution did kids in the 1950s not have to take?

Short Essay Questions

1. What were some of the ways that boys could see glimpses of naked women?

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

3. What were some of the regulations about sex in the 1950s?

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

5. Where did Bryson's father work and what were some of the perks of the job?

6. Who was The Thunderbolt Kid?

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

8. Who was Joseph R. McCarthy and what was his role in the fear of Communism that spread across America?

9. Describe the events at the lake and why this was one of the best days of Bryson's life?

10. Describe the albino Lincoln Logs experience.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why did Bryson choose to use the first person perspective for the stories? What does this point of view entail? What do you know about the characters and the plot lines that you would not know from a different point of view? What do you NOT know about the characters and plot lines based on this point of view?

Essay Topic 2

Bryson is a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphors, and irony, briefly describe them, and identify the technique which they embody.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,123 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample