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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How many siblings does Alice have?
(a) Alice has a brother and a sister.
(b) Alice has two sisters.
(c) None, Alice is an only child.
(d) Alice has a twin sister.

2. Alice tells her husband that he peaks in which year?
(a) 1976.
(b) 1999.
(c) 1950.
(d) 1963.

3. What is the headline for Alice's obituary in the Times?
(a) Educator, Wife and Mother.
(b) Educator, Author and Muse.
(c) Social Activist, Author and Muse.
(d) College Instructor, Mother and Wife.

4. At which institution does Alice teach English in her mid-twenties?
(a) Hofstra Universtity.
(b) Wellesley College.
(c) Yale University.
(d) New York University.

5. According to Calvin, why does he show Alice everything he writes in rough draft?
(a) Calvin thinks it gives her an opportunity to improve her own writing.
(b) It saves Calvin time.
(c) Calvin values Alice's opinion and wants to impress her.
(d) Calvin does not trust his editor at work.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Calvin portray his wife Alice in books and magazine articles written before she dies?

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

3. According to Calvin, what kinds of men are attracted to Alice?

4. Where does Alice attend college?

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 draws a parallel in the relationship between the novelist Dick Francis and his late wife Mary and Trillin's own marriage to Alice. Explain.

2. Does Alice believe she is accurately portrayed in Trillin's books and articles? Briefly describe why or why not.

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

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

5. Calvin Trillin states that from the day he meets Alice, he never stops trying to impress her. Why?

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

7. In what ways do you think Alice serves as Calvin Trillin's muse? Include characteristics that inspire his writing.

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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