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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Calvin, he never stops trying to do what?

2. Where does Alice's father grow up?

3. According to Calvin, what photo of Alice appears on the cover of the program at her memorial service?

4. What is Alice's mother doing for a living when she meets Alice's father?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. Calvin Trillin states that from the day he meets Alice, he never stops trying to impress her. Why?

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 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?

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

9. 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?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Both Abigail and Sarah grow up to have careers in social work.

• According to Trillin, which parent influence Abigail and Sarah more? Why?

• In what ways does this parent influence Abigail and Sarah?

Cite examples from the book in your response.

Essay Topic 2

Select one of the major themes or subjects below from About Alice. Be sure to select a theme or subject about which you have not already written a detailed essay.

• The relationship between Calvin and Alice.

• Marriage.

• Perseverance.

• Loss.

• Cigarettes.

• Beauty

• The relationship between Alice and her parents.

• The relationship between Alice and her daughters.

• Gratitude.

• Social activism.

• Money.

• Parenthood.

Be sure to include quotes from the novel that help develop the theme.

Essay Topic 3

Do you agree with Trillin's definition of an intellectual in About Alice? Why or why not?

Part 1) According to Trillin, in what ways is Alice an intellectual?

Part 2) Does Trillin believe he is intellectually superior to Alice? Why or why not?

Include specific references to the book to support your essay.

(see the answer keys)

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