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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. What is Alice's mother doing for a living when she meets Alice's father?

2. What reasons does Calvin give for stating that "Alice doesn't look like who she is"?

3. What is Alice's reasoning for agreeing to be photographed in a fashion issue of a magazine?

4. How does Calvin characterize his father-in-law?

5. In chapter three, Calvin includes a quote from a friend of Alice who speaks at her memorial service. Who is this person?

Short Essay Questions

1. In chapter two, Calvin Trillin reveals that he never stops trying to impress his wife Alice. Give an example of this.

2. Chapter three contains two humorous poems about Alice. What theme do they share?

3. According to Calvin Trillin, Alice's beauty gives her some advantages. Explain.

4. What does Alice keep in her Important Things envelope? Why are the things inside it so important to her?

5. What is one positive quality that Alice inherits from her father? Why do you think this quality is especially beneficial to Alice?

6. In chapter one, Calvin Trillin states that the stories he writes about his family can be compared what kinds of television shows?

7. When Calvin Trillin describes the first time he sees Alice in chapter two, what does he say is the first thing that strikes him about her? Is it simply her attractiveness, or something else?

8. In chapter one, the reader learns that there is one condolence letter that makes Calvin Trillin laugh. Why?

9. In chapter one, Trillin reveals that although his readers become familiar with Alice as a sensible, somewhat serious character in his books and articles, they never really know her. Why?

10. Describe Calvin Trillin's father-in-law.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of money in About Alice.

Part 1) What is Alice's attitude toward spending money? (Include the Alice Tax and Alice's Law of Compensatory Cash Flow in your response.)

Part 2) What is Calvin's attitude toward spending money? (Include Calvin's theory on writing the mortgage check.)

Compare and contrast the views of Alice and Calvin regarding money. To what extent are they products of their respective upbringings? Is money a source of conflict for them?

Cite examples from the book in your response.

Essay Topic 2

Does Alice believe she is accurately portrayed in Trillin's books and articles?

• Compare and contrast Trillin's portrayal of his wife in About Alice to the character in his previous works.

• Include specific examples of Alice's real-life qualities, as provided in the memoir.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay in which you discuss the Trillin family mottos of "Pull Up Your Socks" and "No Kvetching". What do these mottos say about their values? In what ways does Alice live her life in accordance with these mottos?

(see the answer keys)

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