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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 does Bryson observe about the cemetery in Peacham?

2. What does Bryson compare the quietness of Mackinaw Island to?

3. What does Bryson's friend, James Horner, observe about American youth today?

4. Why does Bryson joke that aliens have abducted everyone from Peacham?

5. Bryson thinks the houses in Maine are _____.

Short Essay Questions

1. Has Bryson had good or bad experiences with strippers? What prompted this thought?

2. What is the unspoken connection with travelers?

3. Does Bryson have an "authentic" New England experience?

4. How is Bryson similar to the pilgrims?

5. Why is Bryson so afraid of New York?

6. Why is Bryson relieved to be back in Iowa?

7. How does Bryson feel after visiting Gettysburg? Why?

8. Is Bryson's mother patient?

9. Is Bryson sympathetic to impoverished people? Why or why not?

10. Why are Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island more to Bryson's liking?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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 is more drawn to small towns rather than big cities. Discuss Bryson's stance and opinion on development in America.

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