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

2. At the end of chapter three, Calvin tells a story about Alice in which she makes an annual trip to which of the following locations?
(a) A plant nursery in New Jersey.
(b) Her best friend's grave.
(c) A summer home in Nova Scotia.
(d) A brownstone in Greenwich Village.

3. In chapter one, what object does Alice wave in the air following Calvin's speech?
(a) A book.
(b) A pen.
(c) A cigarette.
(d) A shoe.

4. In chapter two, how does Calvin characterize his behavior during his second meeting with Alice?
(a) A rough draft in need of edits.
(b) A desperate comedy routine.
(c) A boring college lecture.
(d) A winning job interview.

5. How does Calvin describe the impact of Alice's beauty on her life?
(a) Alice's beauty makes her vain.
(b) Alice's beauty involves complications.
(c) Alice's beauty opens doors in her career.
(d) Alice's beauty has no disadvantages.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. Alice tells her husband that he peaks in which year?

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

4. Calvin states that he and his wife disagree about which of the following details from the night when they first meet?

5. According to Calvin, what leads to his success in courting Alice?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. 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.

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

6. 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?

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

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

9. What are some of the adversities Alice faces throughout her life?

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

(see the answer keys)

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