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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. What is the name of the magazine that hosts the party where Calvin first meets Alice?
(a) The New Yorker.
(b) Life.
(c) Monocle.
(d) Times Magazine.

2. In the days when he is renovating his home, Trillin has this quote above his typewriter.
(a) "Money doesn't grow on trees."
(b) "Time is money."
(c) "Writing doesn't pay."
(d) "Words Is Money."

3. What is Alice's mother doing for a living when she meets Alice's father?
(a) Alice's mother is a secretary.
(b) Alice's mother is a teacher.
(c) Alice's mother is a model.
(d) Alice's mother is a novelist.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Alice's father grow up?

2. Where does Alice spend her childhood?

3. In chapter two, how does Calvin characterize his behavior during his second meeting with Alice?

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

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What event causes Alice to feel as though she loses her looks?

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 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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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