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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. Where does Alice's father first meet Alice's mother?
(a) Greenwich Village.
(b) At a swimming pool.
(c) At a bowling alley.
(d) The Empire State Building.

2. What is written on the envelope in which Alice keeps special items?
(a) Treasures.
(b) Trillin Family Mementos.
(c) Memories.
(d) Important Stuff.

3. In chapter one, Calvin includes an excerpt from a letter that Alice writes to a woman who is victimized. What Shakespeare play does she reference in her letter?
(a) King Lear.
(b) Macbeth.
(c) Romeo and Juliet.
(d) Hamlet.

4. What is Alice's maiden name?
(a) Willkins.
(b) Monocle.
(c) Francis.
(d) Stewart.

5. At which institution does Alice teach English in her mid-twenties?
(a) Hofstra Universtity.
(b) New York University.
(c) Wellesley College.
(d) Yale University.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. In chapter two, how much time passes between Calvin's first and second meeting with Alice?

3. What does Alice's father do for a living?

4. Calvin states that he and his wife disagree about which of the following details from the night when they first meet?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. 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?

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

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

5. In chapter one, Calvin Trillin states that the stories he writes about his family can be compared what kinds of television shows?

6. 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?

7. What is one positive quality that Alice inherits from her father? Why do you think this quality is especially beneficial to Alice?

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

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

10. In chapter two, Calvin Trillin draws a parallel in the relationship between the novelist Dick Francis and his late wife Mary and Trillin's own marriage to Alice. Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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