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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 two, how does Calvin characterize his behavior during his second meeting with Alice?
(a) A rough draft in need of edits.
(b) A winning job interview.
(c) A boring college lecture.
(d) A desperate comedy routine.

2. According to Calvin, what leads to his success in courting Alice?
(a) His dumb luck and one or two deliberate moves.
(b) His dumb luck and good looks.
(c) His pipe smoking and fame as a writer.
(d) His reluctance to speak.

3. Alice tells her husband that he peaks in which year?
(a) 1976.
(b) 1950.
(c) 1963.
(d) 1999.

4. What is the name of the magazine that hosts the party where Calvin first meets Alice?
(a) Life.
(b) The New Yorker.
(c) Times Magazine.
(d) Monocle.

5. According to Calvin, what kinds of men are attracted to Alice?
(a) Lawyers.
(b) Guys with pipes.
(c) Comedians.
(d) Contractors.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Calvin keep one of the photos of Alice from the article in chapter three?

2. How many siblings does Alice have?

3. How does Calvin portray his wife Alice in books and magazine articles written before she dies?

4. In chapter three, who writes the article that accompanies the fashion spread in which Alice is featured?

5. Where does Alice spend her childhood?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what ways do you think Alice serves as Calvin Trillin's muse? Include characteristics that inspire his writing.

2. Does Alice believe she is accurately portrayed in Trillin's books and articles? Briefly describe why or why not.

3. Describe Calvin Trillin's father-in-law.

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

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

6. According to Calvin Trillin, Alice's beauty gives her some advantages. Explain.

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

8. What does Alice keep in her Important Things envelope? Why are the things inside it so important to her?

9. In chapter three, Calvin Trillin explains that Alice's role as caretaker to her parents has a positive impact on her life. How?

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

(see the answer keys)

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