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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. Why doesn't Bryson go to the Biltmore Estate?

2. The road between Warm Springs to Macon isn't particularly ______.

3. When Bryson's stops to buy an Iowa post-card, what does he agree with the cashier about?

4. What does Bryson observe most farmers are missing?

5. How long did Bryson stay in Kentucky?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Bryson like Charleston, SC?

2. How does Bryson generalize towns from his youth?

3. What was the effect of Bryson's "disturbed and erratic" childhood?

4. How do the tourists in Warm Springs embody Bryson's dislikes?

5. Why does Bryson draw ties to movies? How does this aid the narrative?

6. Why does Bryson name the town "Dullard"?

7. How is Tuskegee, AL a trip back in time for Bryson?

8. Why does Bryson like Tupelo?

9. What inspired Bryson's trip?

10. What is the most fun Bryson can have in Carbondale?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the final portrait of "America" Bryson has painted by the conclusion of his journey.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss who Bryson's audience is: who is he writing for? What are subtleties in his writing that imply an aim at a certain audience? Who is he trying to appeal to and why?

Essay Topic 3

Bryson occasionally detours to an anecdote while traveling. At times, the tie is clear but not so much in others. Discuss Bryson's use of anecdotes and how it fleshes out or conveys something about the moments Bryson diverges.

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