2. In chapter four, an encounter is described taking place in an elevator between Alice and a young boy with cancer. What does he say about her type of cancer?

3. What is Alice's professional background?

4. Which of the following statements about Alice is true?

5. In chapter five, Alice is quoted as saying the following about her mother:

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What is the one thing that Alice forbids her teenage daughters from doing?

4. Alice believes that all people are capable of learning and can be taught new things, regardless of their background, provided they have the desire. Do you agree? Why or why not?

5. What is the SEEK program? Why is it important to Alice?

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

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

8. What reasons does Mina Shaughnessy give to justify her choice of clothing?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write about the messages in this memoir about parenting.

Part 1) Does Calvin Trillin agree with his wife Alice about the importance of attending their children's school plays and eating dinner together? Why or why not?

Part 2) To what extent does Alice's parenting style differ from that of her husband?

Part 3) Why does Trilllin spend so much time on the subject of parenting in About Alice?

Part 4) Trillin provides brief glimpses into the points of view of Abigail and Sarah. What do their statements say about the parenting they receive?

Cite examples from the book in your response.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay in which you make an argument for or against the Alice Tax. Compare and contrast the Alice Tax with Alice's Law of Compensatory Cash Flow. Cite examples from the book in your response.