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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 happened to the lodge that Smith and his father built and ran in Alaska?

2. Who wrote "A History of My Boy's Life"?

3. Which of the following was not an event completed by Nancy?

4. Why did at least one family decide to leave Holcomb after the murders?

5. What did Hickock finally admit to Smith about the crime?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Smith and Hickock's lawyer's think they could keep their clients from being hung?

2. What convinced Hickock to take Smith along as a partner to complete the murders?

3. What characteristic did Willie-Jay and Richard Hickock both see in Perry Smith?

4. How did Floyd Wells know who committed the murders of the Clutter family?

5. Why was Nancy Clutter admired for her energy and industry?

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

7. Who did Hickock blame for the crimes after he and Smith were arrested in Las Vegas?

8. How do you think the police knew where to find Smith and Hickock?

9. It was because of whose relationship with the Clutters that they end up murdered?

10. How did Barbara feel about her brother?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe how events in the story could be equated with the mentality of a lynch mob. Be sure to use supporting details from the text in your description.

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the major themes from this book. Write an essay describing the theme. Include supporting details from the text which show how this theme is developed throughout the book.

Essay Topic 3

What was the most important event in this book? Explain and justify your choice with specific details from the text.

(see the answer keys)

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