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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 does Calvin's father do for a living?

2. In chapter six, Trillin states that studies show most marital disagreements are about:

3. What is the name of the club where Alice sometimes has lunch with her friend Wally Popolizio?

4. Select the city in which Calvin and Alice have a disagreement about money.

5. Why does Alice buy a fur coat?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Explain the Alice Tax.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. 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?

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

Calvin Trillin's memoir about his wife Alice contains memories filtered by both time and emotion.

Part 1) Discuss how these elements affect Trillin's recollection of certain key events in his life with Alice.

Part 2) To what extent do you think this memoir is ...

• An objective portrait of Trillin's marriage?

• A collection of memories?

• A collection of emotions?

Cite examples from the book in your response.

(see the answer keys)

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