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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. Which individual in In Cold Blood was an English Teacher?

2. Which term best describes the evidence upon which the case could be built after Dewey first took over the investigation?

3. Which of the Clutter children did the town believe to be a genius?

4. What is the largest town near Holcomb?

5. How did Hickock and Smith meet?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who was able to secure Hickock and Smith some money after the murders?

2. What caused the apparent psychiatric disorders from which Bonnie Clutter suffered?

3. What was troubling about two of Smith's siblings?

4. What crimes did Hickock's parents suspect their son and Smith had committed?

5. Why did the court assign lawyers for Smith and Hickcock?

6. What role did Dewey think the newly acquired life insurance policy had on the murder?

7. What was the last thing Capote describes Nancy as doing before her death?

8. How did Smith hope to pay back all of the people he and Hickock had taken advantage of through their criminal activities?

9. Who wrote down the license plate number of the stolen car Smith and Hickock were driving, a 1956 Chevrolet?

10. On what did the doctor blame much of Smith's mental health damage?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe in detail the symbolism of the cats and how it is used to represent Smith's life events.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay describing how the author's attempts to increase the reader's sympathy for Smith. Be sure to include both details specifically from the text and personal responses to the author's words to support your essay.

Essay Topic 3

Dr. Jones identified Smith as having a mental disorder. In your opinion, would a mental hospital have been a better judgment for Smith? Why or why not? Use information from the text to support your position.

(see the answer keys)

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