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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. What is the SEEK program acronym stand for?

2. What advice does Calvin receive in the 1960s from an older writer at work?

3. Trillin states that he is brought up in which city?

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

5. What assumption does Alice make before she marries Calvin?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. According to Calvin Trillin, what makes a person an intellectual?

4. True or false: Alice shies away from taboo subjects. Explain your answer.

5. Why does Alice believe that "Herbie" deserves to be paid more than what he originally quoted for his contracting services?

6. Does Alice ever exercise restraint when it comes to controversial subjects?

7. What is Alice's attitude toward cigarettes?

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

9. Why does Alice think that marrying Calvin Trillin means she has to live a modest lifestyle?

10. Explain the Alice Tax.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Does Alice believe she is accurately portrayed in Trillin's books and articles?

• Compare and contrast Trillin's portrayal of his wife in About Alice to the character in his previous works.

• Include specific examples of Alice's real-life qualities, as provided in the memoir.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay in which you discuss the Trillin family mottos of "Pull Up Your Socks" and "No Kvetching". What do these mottos say about their values? In what ways does Alice live her life in accordance with these mottos?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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