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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 six, Trillin states that Alice has a strong desire to ...
(a) Own a house.
(b) Own a dog.
(c) Own a white hat.
(d) Own a fur coat.

2. Which of the following best describes "Of Dragons and Garden Peas"?
(a) A New Yorker piece written by Calvin Trillin.
(b) A film that Alice produces for PBS.
(c) A children's book that Alice reads to her daughters.
(d) A New England Journal of Medicine piece written by Alice.

3. Calvin states that among married couples, the one who makes out the mortgage check is more like to do what?
(a) Be more successful.
(b) Be more generous.
(c) Be more relaxed about spending money.
(d) Be more cautious about spending money.

4. What is one of Alice's pet peeves?
(a) Traveling to foreign countries.
(b) Getting speeding tickets.
(c) Cigarette companies that give young people the impression that smoking is cool.
(d) Spending money on clothes.

5. According to Calvin, his father is appalled by what kind of people?
(a) People who can't even afford a cleaning woman living in a house that has to be rented most summers to pay the taxes.
(b) People who can't even afford groceries spending money on a cleaning woman.
(c) People who can't even afford rent traveling to Italy.
(d) People who can't even afford sending their children to college spending money on fur coats.

Short Answer Questions

1. In chapter six, Calvin describes a home renovation project. Who acts as the project manager?

2. According to Calvin, when is Alice at her "bossiest"?

3. According to Calvin, his wife enjoys spending money on which one of the following?

4. According to Calvin, which one of the following qualities does NOT characterize his wife Alice?

5. In chapter five, Trillin states that he once gives a speech at the annual dinner for which organization?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the Alice Tax.

2. In chapter six, explain Calvin Trillin's theory about the person who makes out the mortgage check in a marriage.

3. What is Alice's attitude toward cigarettes?

4. Describe what Alice means when she says that someone "doesn't have a nice life."

5. Why does Calvin Trillin show his wife Alice his rough drafts?

6. What is Alice's attitude toward spending money?

7. Compare Calvin Trillin's father to Alice's.

8. In chapter four, do you think Calvin Trillin is wise to not to take the advice of his colleague?

9. Describe the Trillins' trip to Japan. What does their disagreement say about their marriage?

10. In chapter five, following Alice's bypass operation, what warning does Alice's surgeon give Calvin Trillin?

(see the answer keys)

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