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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. How many siblings does Alice have?

2. According to Calvin, what kinds of men are attracted to Alice?

3. Who writes the condolence letter that makes Calvin laugh?

4. When does Calvin read the obituary of Dick Francis' wife?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. In what ways are Alice's looks, coupled with the superficial facts about her background, misleading?

5. In chapter three, why does Alice accept the request to be photographed in a fashion issue of a magazine?

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

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

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

9. 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?

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

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 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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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