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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Bryson like to do when he picks up his mail on winter mornings?
(a) Walk his dog.
(b) Take a thermos of hot tea with him.
(c) Give his snowblower a work out.
(d) Test his tolerance for the cold.

2. Why was Bryson unhappy about a flight he and his family took from Minneapolis?
(a) The family was scattered all over the plane.
(b) They couldn't take their cat with them.
(c) They didn't get fed for six hours.
(d) The flight attendants couldn't understand Mrs. Bryson's English.

3. What is Bryson astonished to find on his plane on a flight from Boston to Denver?
(a) An inflated dinghy.
(b) Am armed guard.
(c) A chimpanzee.
(d) An entire hockey team.

4. As Bryson was writing, which American President was suing the government for loss of earnings?
(a) Richard Nixon.
(b) Bill Clinton.
(c) Jimmy Carter.
(d) George W. Bush.

5. What is Bryson satirizing in "Your New Computer"?
(a) Computer stores.
(b) Computer manuals.
(c) Computer salespeople.
(d) Bill Gates.

Short Answer Questions

1. What February holiday does Bryson say is new to him on his return to the United States?

2. What do New Englanders call the tourists who come to New England in the fall?

3. According to Bryson, what does the Travel Industry Association of America say about shopping?

4. What does Bryson say about New England in "Fall in New England"?

5. What does Bryson fondly remember about highway travel when he was a boy?

Short Essay Questions

1. Bryson explains the joys of living in a snowy climate in "Fun in the Snow." How does he give the reader the impression that he is not a natural athlete?

2. "Your Tax Form Explained", what does Bryson satirize? Give three examples of how he does this.

3. In "In Praise of Diners," Bryson talks about an old American institution that has almost disappeared, the diner restaurant. List at least three things he tells the readers about diners.

4. In "Lost in Cyberland," what kind of adventures does Bryson have with technology in America?

5. In "Life's Mysteries," Bryson lists a very large number of things that he doesn't understand. What are four of these things?

6. In "Shopping Madness," Bryson says there is a discipline called "retail anthropology." What is it ? What are some of the things it studies?

7. In "Deck the Halls," Bryson tells his readers that he is not looking forward to Christmas decorating. Why is this?

8. In "Hail to the Chief," Bryson looks at the American holiday of Presidents Day. Give three points about the day that Bryson mentions.

9. "Book Tours", Bryson talks about his fondness for book tours. Why does he like them?

10. In "The Flying Nightmare," Bryson compares modern air travel with air travel from his youth in the 1960s and 70s. List three points he makes.

(see the answer keys)

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