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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 kind of people does Bryson think inhabit Stowe?

2. How is Philadelphia better than Bryson remembers from his childhood?

3. Why does Bryson tune in to a Canadian radio station?

4. Why does Bryson visit the Eisenhower home?

5. Bryson dislikes the new _______ of the Smithsonian.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Bryson "believe" Littleton has been taken over by aliens?

2. How does Bryson know how to socially categorize Hal and Lucia?

3. Why doesn't Bryson mind bad service in restaurants?

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

5. Is Bryson's mother patient?

6. How does Bryson recognize long distance travelers?

7. In Bryson's opinion, how is poverty relative?

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

9. What revelation about poverty does Bryson have in Vermont?

10. How is Bryson similar to the pilgrims?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A majority of Bryson's trip is centered around sightseeing. Discuss tourism as a tool in Bryson's journey of discovering America and self-discovery.

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, 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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