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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. In chapter five, which person is mentioned as having volunteered at the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp?

2. What advice does Calvin receive in the 1960s from an older writer at work?

3. According to Trillin, what does Alice want him to do with the money he saves during college?

4. According to Calvin, when is Alice at her "bossiest"?

5. In chapter five, Alice is quoted as saying the following about her mother:

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Alice's attitude toward spending money?

2. Why does Alice believe that "Herbie" deserves to be paid more than what he originally quoted for his contracting services?

3. Describe the Trillins' trip to Japan. What does their disagreement say about their marriage?

4. In chapter six, explain Calvin Trillin's theory about the person who makes out the mortgage check in a marriage.

5. In chapter four, do you think Calvin Trillin is wise to not to take the advice of his colleague?

6. Describe what Alice means when she says that someone "doesn't have a nice life."

7. In chapter five, following Alice's bypass operation, what warning does Alice's surgeon give Calvin Trillin?

8. Why does Calvin Trillin show his wife Alice his rough drafts?

9. Alice believes that all people are capable of learning and can be taught new things, regardless of their background, provided they have the desire. Do you agree? Why or why not?

10. According to Calvin Trillin, what makes a person an intellectual?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Calvin Trillin states that Alice takes on a caretaker role with her parents early on in life.

Part 1) Compare and contrast the type of relationship Alice has with her parents with that of Alice's relationship with her own daughters.

Part 2) Who is a better role model, Alice or Alice's mother? Why?

Include examples from the book.

Essay Topic 2

Calvin Trillin's memoir about his wife Alice contains memories filtered by both time and emotion.

Part 1) Discuss how these elements affect Trillin's recollection of certain key events in his life with Alice.

Part 2) To what extent do you think this memoir is ...

• An objective portrait of Trillin's marriage?

• A collection of memories?

• A collection of emotions?

Cite examples from the book in your response.

Essay Topic 3

Select one of the major themes or subjects below from About Alice. Be sure to select a theme or subject about which you have not already written a detailed essay.

• The relationship between Calvin and Alice.

• Marriage.

• Perseverance.

• Loss.

• Cigarettes.

• Beauty

• The relationship between Alice and her parents.

• The relationship between Alice and her daughters.

• Gratitude.

• Social activism.

• Money.

• Parenthood.

Be sure to include quotes from the novel that help develop the theme.

(see the answer keys)

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