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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 is the problem with Cooperstown which prevents it from being Bryson's "perfect town"?

2. What does Bryson observe about the cemetery in Peacham?

3. People are _____ when Bryson tells them of the dignitary he saw in D.C.

4. In Cooperstown, Bryson reminisces about his childhood at the ________ Hall of Fame.

5. There are a large number of ______ buried in the Peacham cemetery.

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Is Bryson's mother patient?

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

4. How does Bryson recognize long distance travelers?

5. Are the people of Roanoke, VA amiable to discussing the Melungeons? Why or why not?

6. How is Bryson similar to the pilgrims?

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

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

9. What does Bryson feel about Philadelphia having the affect of a big city?

10. Why does Bryson have a problem with the Vanderbilts?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What initiated Bryson's urge to travel was his desire to "be somewhere." However, what inspired this trip was tied to the death of his father and his desire to revisit youth. Discuss Bryson's complex relationship with home.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Much of Bryson's observations are steered by his personal opinion rather than his objectivism. Discuss how Bryson's personal objectives cause him to manipulate facts--how does this affect him as a writer and the reader's perception?

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