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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. Where does Alice's father first meet Alice's mother?
(a) At a bowling alley.
(b) At a swimming pool.
(c) The Empire State Building.
(d) Greenwich Village.

2. How does Calvin characterize his father-in-law?
(a) Alice's father is realistic, responsible man.
(b) Alice's father is cold and tightfisted with his money.
(c) Alice's father is a sweet, optimistic man.
(d) Alice's father is pessimistic and irresponsible.

3. According to Calvin, what does Alice exclaim when encountering a deer in a forest?
(a) "Where is my camera?"
(b) "Wowsers!"
(c) "Beauty!"
(d) "Rodent!"

4. Calvin claims that the first time he sees Alice, he detects what quality about her heritage?
(a) Alice is Swedish.
(b) Alice is Irish.
(c) Alice is European.
(d) Alice is Jewish.

5. What is the first book that Calvin writes after he meets Alice?
(a) A biography.
(b) A collection of comic short stories.
(c) A mystery novel.
(d) A romance novel.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. How does Calvin describe the impact of Alice's beauty on her life?

3. According to Calvin, which of the following best describes Alice at age fifty?

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

5. What is written on the envelope in which Alice keeps special items?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. In chapter three, Calvin Trillin explains that Alice's role as caretaker to her parents has a positive impact on her life. How?

3. 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?

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

5. In what ways is Alice's beauty a hardship?

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

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

8. 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.

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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