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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. Who does Bryson believe the gas station attendant is calling?

2. How much money would Bryson have spent at Colonial Williamsburg if he was with his family?

3. Why is Bryson concerned about Detroit?

4. Who are the Melungeons?

5. Where does Bryson find "real New England"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Has Bryson had good or bad experiences with strippers? What prompted this thought?

2. What has always been Bryson's reaction to inequality?

3. Is Bryson sympathetic to impoverished people? Why or why not?

4. Why are Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island more to Bryson's liking?

5. In visiting Colonial Williamsburg, how does Bryson feel about tourism?

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

7. Why is Bryson so afraid of New York?

8. How does Bryson imagine he should act in New York?

9. Why is Bryson concerned about Detroit?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Through many of Bryson's stops on his journey, he compares his experiences as a child to those as an adult. Discuss Bryson's relationship and resistance to change--whether it be change in himself or in his environment. Is Bryson able to distinguish internal and external change?

Essay Topic 2

Bryson's journey is a personal one. Dissect claims Bryson makes about himself and others versus what his actions,etc. say is true.

Essay Topic 3

Part of Bryson's motive for travel is to rediscover the land of his youth. In his travels, he makes many scathing remarks about the youth of today. Discuss Bryson's relationship with the idea of youth: his love and criticism of it.

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