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

2. According to Calvin, why does Alice take out bank loans in her twenties?
(a) Alice takes out bank loans to invest in her father's vending machine invention.
(b) Alice takes out bank loans to finance her work with disadvantaged students.
(c) Alice takes out bank loans to pay for her cancer treatment.
(d) Alice takes out bank loans to tide her father over when he is low on money.

3. Who writes the condolence letter that makes Calvin laugh?
(a) Richard Harris.
(b) Roger Wilkins.
(c) Dick Francis.
(d) Mina Shaughnessy.

4. Where does Alice's father grow up?
(a) New York's Westchester County.
(b) New York City.
(c) Nova Scotia.
(d) Rural North Carolina.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. At the end of chapter three, Calvin describes an event in Alice's life that takes her by surprise. What happens?

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

3. In chapter three, Calvin includes an excerpt from an article that Alice writes about her parents. Which of the following statements summarizes the point makes in the excerpt?

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

5. What is the headline for Alice's obituary in the Times?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. 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.

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

8. 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?

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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