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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. What eroded the sense of security for people in the 1950s?

2. Why did Bryson and his friends play inside most of the time?

3. What was the happiest year on record according to the Gallup Organization?

4. Discoveries about his parents' successes made Bryson revise the story of _____________.

5. Bryson wrote about which relatives in Chapter 10?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did the Bryson family end up staying in a hotel in Harlem?

2. What did the adult Bryson recall about what happened to his parents and friends?

3. What were some of the unpleasant issues Americans faced in 1957 even though the Gallup organization claimed it was a very happy year?

4. How did the very long winter season impact the school children?

5. What did Bryson usually do when he spent time at his grandparents' home?

6. For what was Bryson most notorious in high school and what did he do after graduation?

7. What was Bryson's opinion of staying in Des Moines versus moving to a bigger city?

8. Where did Bryson's grandparents live and what did he love about the place?

9. What were the circumstances when, for the second time, Bryson realized that adults could not be trusted?

10. Who was Dewey and how did he impact Bryson's job?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

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)

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