View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Calvin not want to pay the contractor more money than he originally quotes for their home project?

2. What is one of Alice's pet peeves?

3. Which phrase best describes Alice's religious views?

4. According to Calvin, his father is appalled by what kind of people?

5. Of the following, which one best describes Calvin and Alice's first home?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. Describe the Trillins' trip to Japan. What does their disagreement say about their marriage?

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

7. What reasons does Mina Shaughnessy give to justify her choice of clothing?

8. 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?

9. Compare Calvin Trillin's father to Alice's.

10. Does Alice ever exercise restraint when it comes to controversial subjects?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following essay topics:

• Is there a thesis statement in Trillin's memoir? If so, state it, along with supporting evidence.

• Discuss the parallels between Dick Francis and his wife Mary, and Calvin Trillin and his wife Alice. What is the point Trillin is making here? In what ways does he circle back to this point again and again throughout the memoir?

• Discuss the significance of Alice's statement that Trillin is "never again as funny as you are that night" (pg. 14.) Is Alice challenging her husband with this statement? If so, in what way?

Cite examples from the book in your response.

Essay Topic 2

Calvin Trillin states that Alice takes on a caretaker role with her parents early on in life.

Part 1) Compare and contrast the type of relationship Alice has with her parents with that of Alice's relationship with her own daughters.

Part 2) Who is a better role model, Alice or Alice's mother? Why?

Include examples from the book.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,094 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample