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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 does Bryson leave Pine Mountain so quickly?

2. While in Columbus, what does Bryson realize about his journey?

3. People who pass through Des Moines are only stopping to get _____, according to Bryson.

4. The Dullard barmaid has "ready for sex written all over her face but better bring a _____ written all over her body."

5. The Herman Talmadge Memorial Bridge "_____" Bryson into South Carolina.

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Bryson like Charleston, SC?

3. What is the greatest barrier Bryson faces in southern towns?

4. How does Bryson generalize towns from his youth?

5. Why was Abe Lincoln's home more fun for Bryson and his generation that it is for the youth of today?

6. Does Bryson view his grandparents critically or endearingly? How does he portray them?

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

8. What effect does Bryson's visit to Ripley's Believe It Or Not museum have on him?

9. What, in Bryson's opinion, is good about being from Des Moines?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the effect of Bryson's extreme and definitive points of view on his writing and our experience of Bryson and America.

Essay Topic 2

Aside from sightseeing, Bryson is very concerned with his natural surroundings in both their glory and inadequacy. Discuss how Bryson uses the environment to convey his views of regions and America as a whole.

Essay Topic 3

Bryson, in his criticisms, often resorts to humor or imagination. Discuss how and why Bryson uses humor in his observations and how it impacts our perception of his encounters.

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