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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. Bryson and his wife see their son off to a university. Where is the university?

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

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

4. In "A Slight Inconvenience," what does Bryson say about drive-through windows in restaurants?

5. Why does Bryson say he never ultimately drove the rental car he needed at the Boston airport?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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. What does Bryson tell the reader about drive-in movies in "At the Drive-In"?

5. In "So Sue Me," what does Bryson say about American lawyers?

6. "The Myteries of Christmas" compares American Christmases and English Christmases. How does Bryson compare the two holidays?

7. 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.

8. "The Best American Holiday," Bryson explains why he loves Thanksgiving so much. List three things that he enthuses about the holiday.

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

10. Bryson titled "The Waste Generation". Give three examples of why he thinks the generation of Americans in the 1990s is a wasteful one.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

"I'm a Stranger Here Myself" is a first person narrative, told from Bill Bryson's point-of-view. Briefly explain how the first person narrative is effective and how it is limited. Give four specific examples that show how the memoir is effectively told from Bill Bryson's point of view. How is our vicarious experience enhanced by Bryson's choice of first person?

Essay Topic 3

Why do you think Bill Bryson included Essay 69, "An Address to the Graduating Glass of Kimball Union Academy"? What do you think his intent was? Discuss three points of advice that he included in his speech.

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