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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. In chapter three, Calvin includes a quote from a friend of Alice who speaks at her memorial service. Who is this person?
(a) Alice's father.
(b) Mary Francis.
(c) Nora Ephron.
(d) Mina Shaughnessy.

2. According to Calvin, he never stops trying to do what?
(a) Remember what Alice is wearing the night he meets her.
(b) Come out of his shell.
(c) Gain Alice's trust.
(d) Impress Alice.

3. In chapter three, who writes the article that accompanies the fashion spread in which Alice is featured?
(a) Mina Shaughnessy.
(b) Calvin.
(c) Nora Ephron.
(d) Alice Trillin.

4. In chapter two, how much time passes between Calvin's first and second meeting with Alice?
(a) Two months.
(b) Three weeks.
(c) Two days.
(d) Two weeks.

5. Which phrase best characterizes the relationship that Alice has with her parents?
(a) Alice is spoiled. She is the center of her parent's lives.
(b) Alice's parents solve all of her problems for her.
(c) Alice acts as caretaker to her parents.
(d) Alice admires her parents and models her own parenting style on theirs.

Short Answer Questions

1. How old is Alice when she is asked to be photographed by Doug Kirkland and model spring fashions in a magazine?

2. In chapter three, what is the name of the publication in which Alice is featured in a fashion spread?

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

4. When does Calvin read the obituary of Dick Francis' wife?

5. What is the headline in the magazine article in which Alice is featured as a model at the age of thirty-five?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. 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?

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

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

5. In chapter three, why does Alice accept the request to be photographed in a fashion issue of a magazine?

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

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

8. 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?

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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