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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. As a child, what did Bryson always think about Pella?

2. After visiting Ripley's Museum, Bryson feels he's had enough _______ for one day.

3. Bryson is usually _______ by college towns.

4. What prompted "Lost Continent"?

5. Bryson decides he wants to travel after watching _________.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Bryson like Charleston, SC?

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

3. What are Bryson's feelings about Mississippi? Why does he feel this way?

4. How does Auburn, AL prompt more of Bryson's criticisms of youth?

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

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

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

8. Do people ever get out of Des Moines, according to Bryson? Why or why not?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bryson expressed his objective of returning to the land of his youth at the beginning of the book. Discuss Bryson's successes or failures in his objective.

Essay Topic 2

Through many of Bryson's stops on his journey, he compares his experiences as a child to those as an adult. Discuss Bryson's relationship and resistance to change--whether it be change in himself or in his environment. Is Bryson able to distinguish internal and external change?

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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