Two Problems

I was under the impression that my car was AWD, anytime in the past that I ever floored the car she would take off with no tire squeel. The other day as I am merging into traffic on a busy street I floor the car and I lite my front two tires up, I swear they spun till the car hit second. Now I am noticing this more and more.....did i break something? How can I find out if my car is really an AWD.
My second problem is that I was reading that a clunk or thud when goinginto reverse is the sign of your tranny going. My car Never did this before then for one day i heard and felt a thud..the next day no problem and none since. The car is shifting fine when I'm in Drive?
Thanks for the input.
Donovan