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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. Truman Capote was popular from ______________________.

2. How does Jones learn of Denny Fout's death?

3. Where does Fouts go to wean himself off drugs?

4. What is the setting for this section of the book?

5. What type of school did Jones attend?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Turner Boatwright and what is his relationship with Jones?

2. Who was Denham Fouts?

3. What does Jones imply with his ideas of moving to the country or moving to the sixth floor?

4. Why does the crystal paperweight remind Jones of Kate McCloud?

5. Who is Woodrow Hamilton and what pivotal role does he play in Jones' life?

6. What is the significance of the crystal paperweight given to Jones by Colette?

7. Who is Florie Rotondo?

8. Which author and book did Capote try to emulate in the writing of ANSWERED PRAYERS?

9. What is the focus of the book?

10. What is the irony of Jones' namedropping in the book?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the overall setting for the novel. Why does Capote use the setting he does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

Essay Topic 2

The author begins the story in the present day and tells the story through a series of flashbacks. Why did he choose to tell his story this way? In what way is a flashback technique more interesting for a reader? In what ways is it more complicated?

Essay Topic 3

Create a brief character study of P.B. Jones. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What motivates him at this point in time?

(see the answer keys)

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