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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. How does Bill feel when he goes to a barbershop?

2. What does Bryson call the expression his wife wears when she is ready for serious gardening?

3. How does Bryson begin "Tales of the North Woods?"

4. How does Bill explain the popularity of motel chains in America?

5. What does Bill find in the bottom of his refrigerator, a left over from his junk-food shopping with his wife?

Short Essay Questions

1. In "The Risk Factor," how does Bryson explain that the average American is twice as likely to die accidentally as the average Briton?

2. In "On the Hotline," how does dental floss become the topic of this essay? What is the outcome of Bryson's reading the fine print on his floss packaging?

3. In "The Inefficiency Report," Bryson says "Our subject today is large-scale incompetence in my native land." Give some examples of what he believes are areas of incompetence in 1990s America.

4. Bryson has a nostalgic look at motels in "Room Service." How does he compare and contrast older motels with those of the mid 1990's?

5. "The Cupholder Revolution" details the proliferation of cupholders. What does Bryson have to say about them?

6. In "The Numbers Game," Bryson expresses his amazement at the large numbers that are quoted by American government agencies. What does he say about the use of such large numbers?

7. In "The War on Drugs," what examples does Bryson give to prove his belief about American drug laws being unfair?

8. "Tales of the North Woods" tells the reader something about the wilder side of New Hampshire, Bryson's new home state. What information does he share with the reader about the wilderness of New Hampshire?

9. In "How to Have Fun at Home,"which household conveniences are high on Bill's approval list? Why?

10. Summarize Bryson's trip to the supermarket in "Junk-Food Heaven." Include why he went shopping in the first place, what he saw at the store, and what was the ultimate outcome of that trip.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define memoir as a literary genre. What elements of the memoir are found in "I'm a Stranger Here Myself"? Briefly outline the main points of Bill Bryson's experiences as they are described in the book. Discuss why you believe they are appropriate or not as inclusions in a memoir about a man returning to his country of birth after twenty years away.

Essay Topic 2

In reference to the organization of "I'm a Stranger Here Myself," discuss the following:

(1) Why are the events of the memoir arranged as they are?

(2) What moves the narrative along? Is it external action or internal conflicts? Or is it a combination of both? Support your answers with examples.

Essay Topic 3

To make memoir writing authentic, the author's personal presence must exist. Give five examples where Bill Bryson's personal presence is apparent. Choose two of the examples, and explain why you think he chose to make it so.

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