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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 reasons does Calvin give for stating that "Alice doesn't look like who she is"?

2. How old is Alice when she is asked to be photographed by Doug Kirkland and model spring fashions in a magazine?

3. What is written on the envelope in which Alice keeps special items?

4. What is Alice's reasoning for agreeing to be photographed in a fashion issue of a magazine?

5. At the end of chapter three, Calvin tells a story about Alice in which she makes an annual trip to which of the following locations?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. 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?

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

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

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

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

9. What event causes Alice to feel as though she loses her looks?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Write the following essay from the first person point of view of Alice Trillin.

Part 1) Discuss your views on social activism.

Part 2) Why do you care so much about certain causes? Give a list of the ones that mean the most to you, and how you go about pursuing these causes.

Part 3) What do you hope to instill in your daughters through your social activism?

Part 4) What is wrong about being passive?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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