Bill Bryson on the British at the seaside – exercise
"That man is the richest whose pleasures are the cheapest." Henry David Thoreau
Bill Bryson’s book on the British, ‘Notes from a Small Island’ was written in 1995. Although his view of the British can feel somewhat dated now, people seem to agree that much of his ‘take’ on the British remains true. Watch this video and see what you think!
A take on sth – a particular approach, version or opinion of something. Eg James has a rather pessimistic take on our foreign policy. Marjorie’s take on the evening is that we were over-charged for the meal.
This is Bill Bryson’s take on the British.
1 What does Bill Bryson say is ‘one of the great charms of the British’?
2 What two examples does he give of their ability to derive a lot of pleasure from small things?
3 What does Bill Bryson say about how we enjoy life, in comparison with others?
4 What are we able to do at the seaside?
5 What would a lot of people say about Llandudno?
6 What are the four places mentioned where you can sit?
7 What is everybody waiting for?
8 What would happen if nobody said it?
9 What does Bill Bryson mention as something which unites the English Scots and Welsh?
10 What does fun where Bill Bryson comes from usually involve?
11 The writer says we British derive pleasure from much smaller pursuits than Americans. What examples does he give?
12 What strikes Bill Bryson as significant about this last ‘pleasure’?
13 What would most hotel-owners in the world assume as a given concerning the water supply?
14 The author says the British are the only people in the world to hold certain views. What four examples of this does he give?